‘You do get
tired
Fears mount that the National Trust could threaten to take land back for repurposing
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Former NFU dairy chair Michael Oakes switches to beef after a clear bovine TB test, succession worries and a health scare
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and consistency are at the
OUR cover story this week is one that will resonate with all our readers in some way.
Former dairy man Michael Oakes’ reasons for pivoting his business to beef finishing is an honest, candid account of change and the reasons behind it.
While the switch from dairy to beef is by no means uncommon, even for someone whose persona is so rooted in dairy, it will be of interest in that it touches themes that so many farmers and their families are grappling with right now.
It draws on the workforce challenges that are so prevalent, especially in dairy, and the perennial problem of low milk prices versus high cost of production which leaves producers with an inequitable share of the available margin.
Other factors, such as health and well-being and succession on a family farm, are things that all farmers will toil with or have experience with over their lifetimes.
As Michael’s story shows, these decisions are often multi-faceted, making the exodus of dairy farmers a tricky puzzle to solve.
Milk prices have been heading in the right direction, driven by tighter supplies. But these increases still leave margins tight and are unlikely to be enough to turn the tide for many.
Just this week, another well-known dairy farmer and friend of FG, Phil Latham, has documented the monumental shift in his business, selling the Brown Swiss herd he has proudly
built up over his 30-plus years in dairy farming alongside his father.
In that time 80% of producers have exited the industry and, for Phil, it was the departure of his long-standing herd manager which forced him to make the decision.
While the pangs of ‘have I done the right thing?’ weigh heavy and could do for some time, they are choices that these businesses have made in order to adapt and future-proof.
For farmers like those featured in our P4/5 stories, life-changing decisions are being thrust upon them, leaving them feeling undermined and undervalued.
What the National Trust and others should realise is that farmers must be kept front and centre of decision-making, with their views and concerns listened to, or unintended consequences could arise.
Change is often met with resistance and can be daunting, but it can also be a powerful catalyst for business growth and innovation.
But it is only by working with farmers that this change can be embraced and in the end lead to a more sustainable, profitable and happier future.
On this week’s
AI
By Chris Brayford
FARMERS have grown increasingly concerned about farmland being reclaimed for rewilding initiatives by the National Trust.
Andrew and Kate Lamont, of Lower Halsdon Farm, Exmouth, rear sheep and cattle at their 45-hectare farm during spring and summer, as well as a diversified business, which accommodates a cafe, wild camping and a cottage which they let out.
The couple had been informed by the nature conservation charity that their Farm Business Tenancy will not be extended after May 2026, with plans to ‘discontinue’ farming in favour of proposals which include converting the farmhouse into staff accommodation and the outbuildings into offices and storage facilities.
The farm had been donated to the National Trust following the death of its former proprietor, Stanley Long, who wanted the business to remain as a farm after rejecting ‘millions of pounds’ in 1991 to convert part of the holding into housing.
Having been a tenant on the land for more than eight years, Mr Lamont
FARMERShavewarnedthe Governmentitwillnotrebuildtrust withthesectorifitcontinuesto blamethemforthepoormanagement ofnatureandlandscapes.
AtameetingheldbyBrendon CommonersAssociation,various stakeholders,includingNatural EnglandandExmoorNational ParkAuthority,discussedhowto revivetheGovernment’sLandscape Recovery(LR)schemesunderthe EnvironmentalLandManagement scheme,inasystemwhichworked forfarmersandfornature.
Thecommonersgroupsaidfarmers neededtobefrontandcentreof planning.
ChristinaWilliams,vice-chairof theExmoorSocietyandproprietor ofMollandMoor,saidfarmingwas the‘deliverytool’intheimplementation
said plans to ‘repurpose’ the land could place a risk to the environment and the community.
He said: “Lower Halsdon Farm has a rich history of agricultural use, contributing not only to local food production, but also to the preservation of the landscape and biodiversity.
“The continued farming of this land ensures it remains a vibrant, working landscape, rather than falling into neglect or being repurposed in ways which could harm the local ecology.”
He added farming was fundamental to maintaining the unique character and natural beauty of the area.
He said: “Our land management practices, as stewards of the farm, have helped preserve hedgerows, maintain wildlife habitats and promote soil health – elements which are crucial to the long-term sustainability of the area.”
National Trust confirmed it had approached Mr Halsdon about ceasing the tenancy in 2026 due to the ‘opportunities’ the land presented for ‘nature and public benefit’.
Our land management practices... have helped preserve hedgerows, maintain wildlife habitats and promote soil health
The spokesperson said: “The charity approaches the review of every tenancy along with its long-term strategic aims and its relationships with its tenants and the ability to work with them is of paramount importance.
“However, we also recognise that tenants have their own business plans and there will be some cases where they may choose to follow a different path or where our aims are too far apart. Our plans to improve the land for nature and people are in accordance with the wishes of the donor and include conservation grazing, some limited arable cropping to support farmland birds, tree and orchard planting.”
ofLR,andaddedinordertomanage moorlandwellfornature,thereneeded tobelandforgrazinganimals.
RobinMilton,anNFUuplands forumrepresentativeanddeputychair oftheExmoorNationalParkAuthority, wascriticalof‘Government-imposed’ schemes,whichheclaimedhadfailed tosupportfarmerswhowereworking hardtorunbusinesseswhiletrying toprotectnature.
Hesaid:“Financialpressures willdeterminelanduseandLRis dependentonGovernmentfunding, whichisnotguaranteedifDefrahas itsbudgetreduced.
“Butifyoublamepeoplemanaging thelandinresponsetothepolicies putonthemforyears,youwillnotgain theirtrust.Theyoungergeneration offarmerswillwalkawayifthey cannotseeaviablefuture.
“Wehavebecomeoverlyconcerned toremovestockfromthemoors,butthe
problemnowisfindingenoughfarmers withenoughstocktograzethem.”
MartheKiley-Worthington,an Exmoorecologicalfarmerand ethologist,saidthekeyforLRwas toensuretherightmanagement andfundswereavailableto increasespeciesdiversity.
However,sheaddedthere wasanurgentneedforfarmerstodo theirpartfornaturerestorationafter claimingagriculturehadbeenamajor contributortospeciesdeclinefromthe ‘overuse’ofchemicalsandfertilisers. DavidWestbrook,naturerecovery networksenioradviseratNatural England,saidLRcouldbeahuge opportunitytodesignabespoke schemeforExmoor,butadded farminghastobeattheheart.
TheGovernmentsaiditwants toworkwithfarmers,while supportingthem,indelivering fornatureandwildlife.
ARLA has launched the world’s first free milk ATM machine in London, allowing people to receive fresh milk at the push of a button. It is part of a nationwide initiative to ensure fresh dairy provision in food charities across the country, after a survey revealed an estimated 450,000 people who rely on these schemes do not have access to fresh dairy.
While it is in high demand, respondents said there was not enough fridge space. In response, Arla is providing fully stocked and sponsored fridges to charities across the country, starting with the rollout of 100 fridges to FareShare charities.
FG WINNERS n FARMERS Guardian photographer Marcello Garbagnoli has won a coveted British Guild of Agricultural Journalists’ (BGAJ) photography award for an image of a Kverneland Pudama drill in action. Marcello was honoured at the BGAJ Harvest Lunch at Stationer’s Hall in London on October 10. FG journalists Rachael Brown and Chris Brayford were also recognised, with Rachael coming runner-up in the rural journalism awards and Chris highly commended in the RuralPod Media Podcast of the Year Award.
CHRIS DODDS RECOGNISED n LivestockAuctioneers’Association executive secretary Chris Dodds has been recognised as a leader in British farming during an awards ceremony at the House of Lords. The ceremony was organised by the English Panel of the Council for Awards of the Royal Agricultural Societies.
Mr Dodds was advanced to a Fellowship, the senior award of the council, with 27 other recipients of awards.
LABOUR’S Employment Rights Bill will have implications for farm businesses across the industry and it is essential any reforms are implemented in a ‘sensible, gradual manner’ to ensure food security and opportunities for growth remain supported.
The Government published the Bill on October 10, with 157 pages laying out its plans to upgrade workers’ rights and tackle poor working conditions.
That was the message from NFU
president Tom Bradshaw, who said he supported the Government’s ambitions and highlighted the importance of permanent and seasonal workers across the sector.
He also ‘welcomed’ the acknowledgement from Government that businesses would need to be given ‘appropriate time’ to prepare for changes and it wanted to work in partnership.
The Bill included measures to end exploitative zero-hour contracts and ‘fire and rehire’ practices, establish paternity rights from day one and strengthen statutory sick pay.
The Government also wanted to ensure flexible working becomes the default where practical.
NFU chief adviser for business and land management Richard Potts said more detail was needed.
Mr Potts said concerns have been raised around the ‘practicalities’ of
statutory sick pay and the right to work flexibly.
He said: “Certain jobs need to be done at certain times and we need to ensure that continues, but recognise there is much more emphasis for people to work flexibly, so we have to balance the two.”
Mr Potts said the union was working with Government officials to ensure farmers’ voices were heard, adding he did not want to end up with a ‘cliff-edge scenario’.
PRICE deductions in the processing sector for animals coming from the bluetongue virus restricted zone ( BTV RZ) are reportedly being implemented, resulting in farmers being penalised for factors ‘out of their control’.
The NFU said the deductions highlighted unfairness in the supply chain.
Farmers within the restricted zone are working with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and Defra to help slow down the spread of the bluetongue virus. However, the NFU said being within the zone has ‘challenging implications for businesses, particularly surrounding movement restrictions’.
NFU livestock board chair David Barton said: “We are incredibly disappointed to hear that some farmers in the restricted zone are being unfairly penalised by having deductions taken from some processors in the supply chain.
“Livestock farmers up and down the country are facing a very difficult time with the threat of the bluetongue virus and they are doing everything they can to limit the spread by adhering to biosecurity measures in the restricted zone.
“Fairness in the supply chain is essential to a thriving industry and I would urge other processors not to follow suit. We will continue to raise our concerns with Defra, that the requirements being imposed on processor is adding costs, but we must see farmers within the restricted zone treated fairly.”
The NFU insists that BTV-related costs are ‘absorbed by the entire food chain’, rather than being ‘unfairly passed back down to the farmer’.
The union has asked Defra to ensure the Food Standards Agency rules are applied ‘consistently’, and to review whether the current requirements placed on processors are ‘proportionate to the risk of BTV’, especially heading into the colder months.
The Environment Agency has advised farm businesses to ensure they have an action plan in place to prepare for further flooding.
By Jane Thynne and Chris Brayford
FARMERS are being urged to make flood preparations as high levels of rainfall become part of ‘average’ winter weather patterns.
The Environment Agency (EA) has advised farm businesses to ensure they have an action plan in place to prepare for further flooding following the wettest 18 months on record, according to the Met Office.
Over the past month, farmers have claimed they have experienced more than 200mm of rainfall in parts of the country which has placed a ‘burden’ on their ability to get on the land to drill spring crops, alongside causing damage to fields and infrastructure on-farm.
Caroline Douglass, EA executive director of flood and coastal risk management, said climate change has
resulted in more ‘extreme weather events’ occurring more frequently, and added that despite not being able to predict where flooding could occur, it did know which areas were at risk.
The Government agency claimed it has completed more than £500 million worth of economic damage to 364,000 hectares (900,000 acres) of agricultural land production since 2015.
But with concern about the future of the Farm Recovery Fund and the ability of producers to claim for the scheme to support flooded businesses, NFU vicepresident Rachel Hallos said farmers needed support ‘urgently’ after ‘suffering’ from the impact of the relentless rain on yields and crop quality.
However, Prescot arable farmer Olly Harrison, a victim of flooding over recent weeks, has claimed rivers and streams cannot cope with the ‘unprecedented’ amount of rainfall without effective dredging procedures.
“We have had about eight acres of the farm which has completely flooded because streams cannot cope with the amount of water we have experienced,” he said.
“We used to have a National Rivers Authority which used to come along every summer and take the silt and reeds from the bottom of streams.
“This would keep the water dry and keep our fields dry and acted like a big sponge.
“It is not more rainfall but our ability to handle the rainfall which is causing these problems.
“We need feet on the ground from the Government.”
Julie Foley, director of flood risk strategy and national adaptation at the EA, said protecting farmland was an important part of the Government’s work, despite adding that all flood and coastal risk management projects must be carefully assessed to make sure they benefit the most people and property.
FORMER No.10 Policy Unit chief and economist Dan Corry has been appointed to carry out an internal review into the regulation and regulators at Defra.
The review will examine whether the inherited regulatory landscape is ‘fit for purpose and develop recommendations to ensure that regulation across the department is driving economic growth while protecting the environment’.
It is part of a wider piece of work to position Defra as a ‘key economic growth department’.
Mr Corry previously served under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and adviser in many Government departments where he was involved in regulatory reform.
CLA president Victoria Vyvyan said Ministers need a ‘laser-like focus’ on removing the barriers to economic growth.
“These include our woeful planning system, lack of affordable housing, poor connectivity and what is often an anti-business attitude among National Park authorities,” she said.
Ms Vyvyan added the rural economy was ‘16% less productive than the national average’ and closing the gap could add ‘about £40 billion to UK gross value added’, adding with the ‘right support’ rural businesses can generate growth, jobs and ‘prosperity for every community’.
By Rachael Brown
THE Welsh Government has confirmed breaches to the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) regulations would be reduced where farmers can demonstrate evidence of having taken ‘reasonable steps’ to achieve compliance.
The last minute decision has been welcomed by farming unions and political parties, but they said further clarity was needed.
In a written statement published on the first day of the closed period ( October 15) – where farmers are not permitted to spread manufactured fertilisers and organic manures with high nitrogen contents for a period of time over winter – Deputy First Minister with responsibility for rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said he recognised the recent wet weather had created ‘difficult circumstances’.
All Welsh farmers are now required to comply with the pan-Wales regulations and must ensure they have adequate slurry storage for at least five months’ worth of production.
In recognition of the ‘challenge’, Mr Irranca-Davies confirmed amendments would be made to the Cross Compliance Verifiable Standards.
In the statement, he said the aim was to provide a ‘more proportional approach, balancing risk of pollution to the environment and the administrative and technical requirements of the regulations’.
He confirmed penalties would be reduced for farmers ‘who have undertaken reasonable steps to meet the new storage requirements’, adding cases would be reviewed on an ‘individual basis’. He also said cases would be reviewed where farmers think any non-compliance was due to ‘unforeseen matters beyond their control’.
Plaid Cymru Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary Llyr Gruffydd said it ‘lays bare the shambolic handling of these regulations by Government’, adding they must now be clear what constitutes as ‘reasonable steps to meet the new storage requirements’.
NFU Cymru water quality review group chair Martin Griffiths said in the short-term regulations needed to include a derogation for spreading during the closed periods in exceptional circumstances, one that could ‘be applied for without the fear of enforcement activity being undertaken’.
He added a ‘longer term sustainable solution’ was needed to allow farmers to operate based on weather and ground conditions and ‘not an arbitrary date.’
RURAL Payments Wales (RPW) has confirmed more than 96% of claimants received a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) advance on October 14, worth about 70% of their estimated claim value.
RPW was continuing to make advance payments as individual claims became eligible. Full and remaining balances will be made from December 12, subject to full validation of claims.
Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “I hope this gives farming businesses and families across Wales reassurance and stability for the year ahead.”
NFU Cymru president Aled Jones said that the support would be a
‘major boost’ for the cashflow of more than 15,500 Welsh farmers.
He said: “We welcome the maintenance of the BPS budget for 2024, providing much-needed stability and certainty to a sector that has faced a turbulent year. In May we applauded the sensible, pragmatic approach taken by Huw Irranca-Davies to maintain the BPS for 2025, the importance of maintaining the BPS budget for 2025 cannot be overemphasised.
“While I am pleased to see this injection of funding, we must not forget the small percentage of farmers who will not have received an advance payment. I sincerely hope any outstanding issues can be resolved without delay, so that full and balance payments can be made from December 12.”
By Chris Brayford
HIGHLY organised criminal gangs targeting farming businesses are putting the food supply chain at risk.
That was the message from Prof Louise Manning, of the University of Lincoln, at a Roythorne’s business breakfast, held in Peterborough, as she highlighted the threat to farmers’ livelihoods.
With the food and drink industry contributing £146 billion to the economy and employing 4.2 million people, Prof Manning – who is also a farmer – said the sector was ‘highly lucrative’ for organised criminals who were looking to infiltrate the industry to gain financially.
Simon Porter, who farms more than 404 hectares (1,000 acres) in the village of Crondall, Hampshire, has had to install £10,000-worth of farm defences, including concrete blocks at the entrances of his field, in order to keep gangs out.
Mr Porter has been targeted by thieves and violent gangs who have used the land for illegal racing, gambling and hare coursing.
He said: “If we did not have all our
■ Where possible, vehicles should be housed in a lockable garage or building, ideally with security lighting installed on the perimeter
■ Vehicles should always be locked when not in use, with the keys kept hidden and locked away in a secure location
■ Keep recordings or photographs of serial numbers and vehicles
■ On quads, invest in a bespoke quad security device or a quality padlock and chain, such as those approved by Secured By Design
■ Securing the vehicle to a fixed point on the ground, or something that takes time to remove, will also act as a deterrent
defences, the countryside would simply become even more lawless and it would be an unsafe place in which to
■ Never leave keys in the ignition, even if you only briefly leave your ATV unattended
■ Keep yard gates closed – open gates can be an invitation to thieves
■ MarkmachinerywithDNAmarking devicesandSmartWatertools
■ Sign up to CESAR, an agricultural equipment registration scheme, which increases the chance of recovering stolen goods by helping police identify stolen machinery
■ Have the Vehicle Identification Number etched on windows
■ Install immobilisers, chip keys and trackers
■ Call the police on 999 if a crime is in progress, 101 if it has already happened
Source: NFU
live because these people are hugely threatening.
“It is a war. We have to leave our phones on 24 hours a day because it is just that constant and leaves us with anxiety.
“I often get calls in the night about things that are happening onfarm. It can be quite intimidating if you see a vehicle coming along at night.
“It is like living on a cliff edge all the time, which worries not only ourselves but also our families.”
Farmers in Cheshire said they had been victims of agricultural machinery theft over the past 12 months.
Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price, alongside the NFU and five Cheshire MPs, wrote an open letter to the Government on Monday (October 14) urging equipment manufacturers to take action to reduce
THE Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has announced an amended general licence, TB24c, will be available for bovine TB-restricted holdings and valid for use for the duration of a bTB breakdown.
It was a move which NFU livestock board chair David Barton described as a ‘common sense approach’ which would help to ‘simplify’ the process,
‘ease pressure on all parties’ and provide ‘greater flexibility for producers’ sending bTB-restricted cattle to slaughter.
The TB24c will authorise the general movement of bovine animals to a licensed slaughterhouse, allowing bTB-restricted keepers to send cattle either directly or through an approved bTB slaughter gathering to an approved
slaughterhouse in England and Wales.
APHA said TB24c-licensed movements did not require animals to have had a negative bTB skin test within the last 90 days, allowing for ‘continued access and fluidity within the supply chain for bTB-restricted holdings’.
MORE INFORMATION tbhub.co.uk
It is a war. We have to leave our phones on 24 hours a day because it is just that constant and leaves us with anxiety
SIMON PORTER
expensive thefts of farm machinery including GPS units, quad bikes and tractors.
NFU’s Cheshire county president Stuart Yarwood said farmers across the county were feeling the ‘devastating impact’ of farm thefts, which could disrupt the food supply chain while posing significant financial challenges to their livelihoods.
‘Tougher measures’ Diana Johnson, the Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention Secretary, said Labour was committed to reducing crime and disorder in rural areas by introducing ‘tougher measures’ to support police in preventing farm theft and fly-tipping.
● Cold, wet spring has caused issues
By Jane Thynne
HALLOWEEN festivities could be the latest victim of the challenging growing season as farmers report a disappointing pumpkin harvest.
Jack Ward, chief executive of the British Growers Association, said concerns for this year’s crop were raised earlier in the year when bad weather derailed farmers’ planting schedules. He said: “A wet, cold spring always makes life tricky and that has continued throughout the rest of the season. Slugs have been a problem
everywhere and even the harvest has been halted by the rain. We really could now do with some drier weather.”
Typically the UK grows around 15 million pumpkins a year. But according to the National Trust, many of its south of England properties have seen smaller than usual harvests.
At Kingston Lacy in Dorset, pumpkins and squashes had to be harvested a month earlier than usual, marking the earliest ever harvest for the property. Only half of the garden’s normal crop was saved. While at Arlington Court in Devon, staff reported an ‘abysmal’ season for squashes and pumpkins, with
poor weather and slugs causing the loss of more than 150 plants.
Andrew Hunt, head gardener at Kingston Lacy, said: “Pumpkins need a long, hot growing season to do well. Unfortunately, we had a cold and prolonged spring, which meant that germination took place later than normal and then the cooler and wetter conditions over the summer really have not helped.”
However, at Lyburn Farm in Salisbury, grower Jono Smales said although each pumpkin may be ‘a little bit smaller’ this year has been
better than 2023, when 50% of his crop was lost.
Mr Smales grows more than 100,000 Halloween pumpkins, as well as gourds and mixed squash for consumption across 30 hectares. He employs 20 seasonal workers to carry out the harvest which can last for up to six weeks.
He said: “We have been held up a little by the weather – this week has seen some torrential downpours, but we have managed to get around halfway through. We definitely need some drier days to finish the job.”
As former NFU dairy board chair Michael Oakes embarks on a new challenge in beef, Rachael Brown speaks to him about leaving dairy and the future of the sector.
Former NFU dairy board chair Michael Oakes is well-known in the industry for his campaigning on fairness in the supply chain and lobbying politicians for dairy contract legislation.
With margins tight, increased regulations and problems with recruiting staff, many dairy farmers have found themselves facing the difficult choice of whether to invest or to leave the sector. In June, Mr Oakes made the ‘tough decision’ to quit milking.
He sold his 200-head Holstein dairy herd and has now started a new venture rearing beef cattle on his Bournville Village Trust tenant farm on the southern outskirts of Birmingham.
He said: “There is this thought, ‘if I sell the cows, have I failed?’ I have had that thought. I still have it occasionally now,” he said, adding that the more he talked about it, the easier it had become.
“I can remember once I booked the sale and going down the yard into the workshop and saying ‘by the way, the cows are going’, that was not easy.”
But he said the ‘reality hit’ when he saw the sale advert in Farmers Guardian.
“Then people you know start ring-
We want people who love cows, who want to work on dairy farms and love milking, but they do need a life. We have to do better to attract people and give them a lifestyle
MICHAEL OAKES
ing you up, asking about the cows and you have got to have the same conversation.”
Mr Oakes said there was not one single factor which led to his decision to quit, but a combination of factors, including going clear of bovine TB
after being shut down for many years, the lack of succession with both his two sons pursuing other careers, a health scare after having a mini stroke, and his landlord seeking to take Farm Business Tenancy land back in hand.
“If I did not take this opportunity now while we are clear of bTB, then actually worst case scenario, I could be shut down for years once again in six months,” said Mr Oakes.
“You do get tired of juggling the bills. You have periods where there are margins, and then where the job is a struggle. We have all been there. You get tired of that, waking up in the night wondering how you are going to pay all the bills.”
Mr Oakes said he still finds it difficult ‘to get his head around’ his decision.
“You just love the cows. And your whole life had been structured around the dairy farm,” he added.
“Now I wake up in the morning, if I do not want to get out of bed, I do not have to, as I do not have a shed full of cows ready to be milked, to be scraped out and cleaned.”
Since the dairy dispersal sale, Mr Oakes said he has found comfort from phone calls from farmers who purchased his dairy cattle.
“They have gone on somewhere and are doing a good job for somebody else now. It makes it slightly easier,” he said.
Mr Oakes has since started a new venture, looking after a 200-plus beef herd, which he will take through to finishing as part of a bed and breakfast scheme with Buitelaar.
“It is still tough. But it is easier now we have cattle back on the farm,” said Mr Oakes.
His beef herd includes native breeds – Aberdeen-Angus, Longhorns and Herefords. And Mr Oakes thinks the scheme works well.
“In effect, you put the weight on, you get a guaranteed minimum price at the end, and if the price is above that you get half of that and split the difference,” he said.
“There is guaranteed bottom in the market for when you have finished. You get paid for every kilogram you put on to those animals. How you do it is up to you.”
Mr Oakes said with the cattle being native breeds, maximising forage was key.
He added: “It was important to me, we have got the grassland, got the land, I do not want a shed full of cows, I like animals to be out when they can be.”
Mr Oakes said the day the beef cattle arrived was a chance to get back into a routine and get the feeder wagon working again.
“Just getting animals back on the farm was a real positive,” he said.
“I am really pleased with the quality we got. They were averaging 160kg when they came and then obviously we will take them to finish.”
Mr Oakes said his contract works for his set up and he was thankful he did not have to go out and spend money on weaned calves to make a similar margin.
“I have got to make sure I do the job and leave myself a margin with it at the end of the day. We went down this route of finishing them, because if bTB is an issue it is not going to disrupt the business.”
He said with the collecting yard no longer in use, there was space for another 50 head.
Since rearing the beef cattle, Mr Oakes joked he has found out some of the differences between dairy and beef.
“The one thing you learn quite quickly is they do not respect fences like dairy animals do. They respect electric fences, but barbed wire, they just climb over that,” he added.
“We have had to run around the wood a few times to get them in.”
Sitting on the NFU’s dairy board for
■ 81hectaresintotal
price. That transparency and fairness is all it was about, really.”
■ Halfofthefarmonan AgriculturalHoldingsAct TenancyandhalfonaFarm BusinessTenancy
■ LandlordisBournville VillageTrust
TO listen to the Farmers Guardian podcast featuring Michael Oakes, abouthismovefrom dairy to beef, scan theQRcodeorgoto farmersguardian. com/podcasts
nearly 14 years – eight as chair – Mr Oakes played an influential part in driving the dairy contract legislation over the line.
He believed it was a ‘once-in-alifetime opportunity’ to change the relationship between farmers and processors to a more ‘partnership approach’.
“It is not how little you can pay the farmer so they do not quit. It is how do we all invest, how do we all grow,” he said, adding it required a mindset change from both farmers and processors to develop a better working relationship.
“If farmers make the best of [the contracts] the processors will have to talk to the farmer about what is in the contract. The farmer might not like his milk price, but will have better understanding of what drives his milk
Supply chain fairness is not the only challenge facing the sector.
A recent survey by Arla found more than more of half of Britain’s dairy farmers were finding it more difficult than ever to recruit staff, with 16% considering leaving dairy, up from 12% last year.
Mr Oakes acknowledged labour was not easy for small dairy farms milking around 100 as their demand for labour was a ‘different dynamic’.
“You do not know the value of good labour until you have got bad labour. We want people who love cows, want to work on dairy farms and love milking, but they do need a life. We have to do better to attract people and give them a lifestyle.”
When it comes to milk price, despite ‘going back up’, Mr Oakes said there was ‘still not a massive margin in it’.
“It is not like you are in the land of milk and honey and everything is wonderful and you can do all those jobs that we know need doing and need investment in that we have not been able to do when the milk price was lower,” he added.
Mr Oakes said investment was key with legislation putting pressuring demands on many dairy farms, with particular challenges for tenants in the sector.
■ Previouslymilked200Holstein herdplusyoungstockforArla
■ Nowrunsa200-plusbeefherd includingAberdeen-Angus, LonghornandHerefords
■ Fedonforageandstraw concentrate
“When you have a lot of the land agents who are quite keen to persuade landlords that they do not need their dairy farmers, whether it is biodiversity net gain, environmental schemes, that is a real threat to the tenanted sector and dairy is a big part of the tenanted sector.
“There are a whole load of things which influence dairying and I am sure we will be producing a similar amount of milk in 10 years time, but with only half of the farmers.
“There will be those that can make the investment, they will have the scope and ability to do it and then there will be the others, that are either daunted by the thought of making that sort of investment, or they are a certain age and do not want to keep milking long enough to repay that investment.
“But for those that can do it, I think there is a real bright future for dairy.”
I HAVE written to my local MP to highlight the problems surrounding UK food security, which this Government – and the ones before – have not taken seriously enough.
Food production and consumption is a global issue, and to quote John Donne: ‘No man is an island’.
It has been assumed that the world population would increase from seven to nine billion, but a recent speaker at the Hay Festival predicted the global population will increase to 11bn.
That increase in population would put ever-increasing pressure on the land suitable for food production.
At an international conference in 2005, I heard Robert Thomson, a member of the Chicago Exchange and an adviser to the UN, say there were 0.45 hectares of farmable land per head of population.
But if that figure is recalculated to encompass the predicted population of 11bn, it is reduced to 0.26ha.
Such a scenario will severely increase the pressure on the UK being able to import food and will have an undesirable impact on the cost of living.
Currently, it is estimated the UK is producing about 62% of the food it is consuming. But it has also been calculated that 37% of the food imports are produced under similar conditions to those of the UK and, given the right conditions and confidence to do so, UK farmers could replace much of the 37% which is imported.
But the Government needs to be more alert to the growing lack of confidence among producers as policies bring more and more hindrances for farmers, with little – if any – assessment of the impact a policy is having on food production.
I was inspired to write to my MP by the headline ‘Family farms could be ‘torn apart’ if tax reliefs scrapped’ (Farmers Guardian, October 4), to highlight that much of the land in Herefordshire and across the UK is farmed by family farms and any changes could have dire consequences.
READERS had their say on social media afterDefraSecretarySteve ReedsaidtheideaofaTenant FarmingCommissionerhadmerit andtherewouldbeanannouncement soon (FG, October 11): ■ “Another28thSepthaspassed.Ifit everhappensitwillbetoolittletoolate.”
JO FRANKLIN, @theladyfarmer ■ “It’swhatthe@tenantfarmershave beencallingforsincetheconclusion
I would urge other readers to contact their MP and encourage them to raise the point during the Budget debate.
Ian Howie, via email.
IF we are to apply scientific principles to the problem of bovine TB, the time-tested and logical way to go
oftheRockReview.#aneasywin for@SteveReedMP.”
ROBERT MARTIN, @Ansavalley ■ “Fingerscrossed.”
SAVE OLD MALTON COUNTRYSIDE, @saveoldmaltonc1 ■ “IwelcometheideaofaTenant FarmingCommissioner.It’sacrucial steptowardsamoresustainableand equitablefarmingfuture.”
CULTIVO CONCIENCIA, @cultivcc
about it is to work from what we know.
We know the post-war push to eliminate bTB started with voluntary testing, and farmers with high numbers of reactors were able to forego the monetary incentives dangled in front of them and carry on milking those reactors. Those who did accept the premium were allowed to sell their reactors in the open market.
At this time, the majority of dairy cows were kept tied by the neck in ill-ventilated cowsheds in the winter months. With these apparently ramshackle arrangements, the incidence of bTB in our herds was reduced to the point that compulsory testing and slaughter of reactors could be introduced in 1960. No one was questioning the accuracy of the tests.
By the end of the 1960s, Great Britain was on the verge of being declared officially bTB-free, and would have been had it not been for a few stubborn pockets in the West Country.
In 1971, a bTB-infected badger was found, and the possibility badgers could be the source of infection for cattle in those areas was suggested.
Subsequently, culls were carried out in Gloucestershire and Dorset, with very promising results; bTB was substantially reduced, and entirely cleared in the Thornbury area of Gloucestershire, and remained so for the next decade. These results were verified by that same test.
Lancashire, PR2 9NZ. For the purposes of this policy, we are the data controller of personal data provided to us. We are a UK company specialising in providing information services including news, analysis, data, pricing, insight and market intelligence to agribusiness professionals across the globe. This policy sets out how we do this and applies the use of your personal data that you disclose to us by entering into our competition to win £200 for the Stockjudging Competition or £20 Love2Shop vouchers for the weekly Crossword Competition, referred to throughout this statement as the “Competitions”. How we collect your information: We collect the personal data you have provided to us by filling in the form on our website www.fginsight.com OR printed form when entering the Competitions. If you have entered the Competitions via our site we may also collect some technical information about how you use our site, for example, the type of device you are using, your operating system, IP address, uniform resource locator (URL), clickstream and length of visit. How we use the information you provide: We will use your personal information: • to administer the Competitions, on the basis that the use of your personal data for this purpose will be necessary to enter you into the competitions and, if you are successful, contact you to notify you of your prize; and, • if you are new to Farmers Guardian and where you have agreed to this, to provide you with news and updates from time to time about our services; and, if at any point in the future you do not wish to receive any news and updates from us or from, you can unsubscribe from our marketing list at any time by following the steps below. To unsubscribe from any communications using the link on the email we send you or by emailing us at dataprotection@farmersguardian.com. We will not use your information for any purposes except those listed in this policy without letting you know and getting your permission, if necessary, first. Who do we share your information with? We will not disclose your information to any third parties without your consent, except where: • it is necessary to enable any of our staff, employees, agents, contractors, suppliers or commercial partners to provide a service to us or to perform a function on our behalf; • we have a legal obligation to disclose your information (for example, if a court orders us to); or • there is a sale or purchase of any business assets, or where Farmers Guardian or any of its group companies are being acquired by a third party. Where we use third parties as described above to process your personal information, we will ensure that they have adequate security measures in place to safeguard your personal information. For how long do we keep your personal information? We keep your personal information for 36 months for the purposes for which it was collected or for any period for which we are required to keep personal information to comply with our legal and regulatory requirements, or until you ask us to delete your personal information. Your rights: You have a number of rights in relation to your personal information. These include the right to: • find out how we process your personal information; • request that your personal information is corrected if you believe it is incorrect or inaccurate; • obtain restriction on our, or object to,
However, the badger was perceived by public opinion as being unjustly persecuted, and the 1973 Badger Act was passed. From 1975 until 1996, various, very limited Government-led badger culling strategies were employed, but then all badger culling ceased and a scientific study, the Random Badger Culling Trials, was commissioned.
This was subject to interference by protesters and interrupted by footand-mouth, and when the trials concluded, it made it questionable whether it was fair to call the results ‘scientific’.
We know that the introduction of pre-movement testing for cattle in 2006 failed to make a significant difference to the spread. We know that from time to time cattle which have later proved to be reactors have inadvertently been sold from high-risk areas into bTB-free areas.
When they have been identified and culled, they have failed to infect other cattle. We know that in Scotland, the Isle of Man and the bTB-free parts of England, four-year testing is adequate because it will take an animal that contracts bTB at least four years to develop clinical symptoms.
Given that we have all this knowledge, why is any credence given to alternative theories?
John Tuck, Wiltshire.
Angela Calvert Features Editor and Head of Livestock Sales – angela.calvert@agriconnect.com
AS the days shorten and the weather deteriorates, there is no denying that winter is on its way. The show season is over and commercial breeding sales are drawing to a close. For many producers, this has been their harvest, with the sale of rams, gimmer lambs and suckled calves providing a large chunk of their annual income.
For auction marts, autumn is their busiest time of year and the importance of their role cannot be underestimated. Not only as a place to do business, but to socialise, meet up with people you may only see once-a-year, celebrate a good trade and commiserate, if it has not been so good.
This is the reason why 10 years ago Farmers Guardian launched the Mart’s the Heart Awards, whose winners were announced this week, alongside the British Farming Awards. Don’t miss next week’s FG for all of the highlights.
Looking back at the autumn breeding sales, trade has been good across all sectors, with averages up across the board. Demand for breeding stock is, of course, influenced by primestock prices, which have also remained strong all year.
But as any producers will tell you, they need to be with costs constantly rising, along with other
‘I’ve loved every
Opportunity: IgrewupinWigtownshire butnowlivewithmyfianceonhis family’sfarmjustoutsideAnnan.
For12yearsnow,Ihavebeena memberofStewartryYoungFarmers’ Club,joiningassoonasIturned14.
Ihavelovedeveryminuteofmy experiencesofarasaYoungFarmer, andIamsogratefulfortheopportunities ithasgivenme.
Therereallyissomethingforeveryone –fromstockjudgingtohandicrafts,and concertstospeech-making. Development: Mypublicspeaking abilityhasimprovedsignificantlyat competitions,allowingmetofeelmore confidentwhendeliveringpresentations, commentatingatsomelocalshows,and whenbeinginterviewed.
Ihavealsobeenextremelyfortunate tohavetheopportunitytotravelthrough theScottishAssociationofYoung Farmers’Clubs(SAYFC),visitingplaces
thatIwouldnevergettosee otherwise.Forinstance,Iattended theWomeninFoodandAgriculture ConferenceinFrankfurttwoyears ago,andIwasselectedtotravelto CanadaaspartofSAYFC’sagriand ruralaffairsstudytourlastyear. Bothtripswereextremelyinteresting, andopenedmyeyestotheworldof agricultureevenfurther,highlighting thechallengesfacedandhowthey comparedtotheUK.
Ifanyoneisthinkingofjoining YoungFarmers,thenplease–justdoit. Therearesomanyactivitiesand eventsonoffer,andifnothingelse, youwillmakefriendsforlife.
Icannotrecommenditenough. Well-being: Inmyroleasdevelopment andwell-beingchairforSAYFC,itis importanttorealisethatruralisolation canbeaveryrealproblemforfarmers, withariseinlonelinesssincethe
challenges, such as the volatile weather and with bluetongue restrictions also thrown into the mix.
To help our readers keep up-to-date with all the latest prices and trends, FG has launched a new Market Prices Hub at farmersguardian.com/ market-prices-hub. As well as the latest market prices for store and primestock, it includes fuel, fertiliser, milk and much more, so please take a look and let us know what you think.
pandemic.FarmstrongScotland’s baselineresearchfoundthatofall theagegroupsquestioned,the25to34-year-oldagegroupreported thehighestnumberofpeoplewho feltlonelymostorsomeofthetime. Therecanalsobechallenges surroundingfarmersbeingableto
Forsyth, 26, is development and well-being chair for the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs.
takeevena30-minutebreakor gettingoff-farm,whichisareal problem.
Takingabreakcanmakeyoufeel betterandisimportant.
Workplaces,whetherinanofficeor outon-farm,shouldmakewell-being, fitnessandmentalhealthapriority. Change: Ilovetheideathatfollowing Farmstrong’sfivestepstowell-being canstarttomakepeoplefeelbetter–whatevertheirage.
Itisaculturethatneedstochange anditisgreattoseeorganisations likeFarmstrongstrivingtomake thatchangepossible.
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If you would like to be featured, email chris.brayford@agriconnect.com
Edited by Alex Black – 07880
● Wheat production forecast drops globally
GLOBAL wheat production in the 2024/25 season is estimated to be at 794.08 million tonnes, according to the October US Department of Agriculture’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.
That is a drop of 2.8mt on the September estimate. There was a 0.1% drop in the estimated production of coarse grains (which includes corn).
Factors that give support to the wheat market include dry planting conditions in Russia, while the country’s attacks on Ukrainian ports have made shipments of grain more costly and difficult. Meanwhile, increased export duties by the Russian government is also adding cost to its exports.
Rupert Somerscales, chief analyst at Agri Analytics UK, said: “Following pressure within the country, the Russian government has asked exporters not to export for anything less than US$250/t [FOB].
“That is an increase from the previous floor price of $234/t.
“There is some uncertainty whether an agreement by exporters is binding and when it comes into force, but it could influence the market and bring more grain from Ukraine, France and Romania into play.”
An export price of $250/t converts to £191/t. To put that in context, on Monday this week, November 2024 feed wheat futures were trading at £188/t on the London ICE market.
Meanwhile, wet weather in France is affecting both the maize harvest and planting of winter wheat and other crops for harvest in 2025.
That already raises the possibility of a second small European crop in a row. France had one of its smallest soft wheat crops in 40 years this harvest at 25.2mt, a drop of 25% on last year.
On Monday this week, November 2024 feed wheat futures were trading at £188/tonne on the London ICE market.
Last week, the European Commission put the total EU cereal harvest at 260.9mt, down 7% on last year and the smallest in a decade.
Soft wheat and corn suffered the most, with a small increase in barley, oats and durum wheat production.
European oilseed rape and sunflower crops also suffered, contributing to an 8% drop in oilseed production to 29.7%.
That figure was partly offset by an 8% increase in soya output as growers switched to the crop.
Mr Somerscales said: “French wheat exports have so far been slow this season, reflecting the small crop, but if Russian supplies fade over time, they may pick up in the coming months.
“We ask ourselves whether the increase in the price of Russian wheat may lead Algeria and France settling a long-standing dispute which has seen Algeria boycott its wheat.”
Most bearish news on the global grain market is coming from the other side of the Atlantic. The latest USDA crop progress report highlighted that 47% of the corn crop had been harvested by the week ending
A number of conflicting factors are at play on the global grain market, which is influencing UK prices. Cedric Porter reports.
October 13, with 67% of the soyabean crop cut. Those rates were higher than the five-year average, as was the proportion of good or excellent condition corn at 64%.
Brazil is set to have the rain it was hoping for this week, which will prompt growers to plant soya as they had been holding off because of dry conditions.
Mr Somerscales said: “We largely know the size of the northern hemisphere grain harvest. In the bigger picture, the European and Black Sea regions have had poor crops, while North American corn and soyabean crops look superb so far.
“The biggest unknown factor we face stems perhaps from outside influences. That includes any fallout from an escalation in conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, or both, which could heavily impact shipping and oil prices.
“Furthermore, the health of the Chinese economy is in question, which may affect China’s demand for pork and hence imported carbohydrates and protein. Throw in the US election and the picture looks uncertain.”
That uncertainty is feeding into futures prices, with the November 2025 feed wheat price on the ICE exchange at £199/t earlier this week and the November 2026 price at £201/t.
By Alex Black
ECONOMIC and social sustainability are just as important as environmental sustainability in the Welsh beef and sheep sector.
That was the message from Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) on a panel at the Egni Food Festival, which celebrated sustainability and innovation in the Welsh food and drink industry.
The festival was aimed at improving awareness of Welsh produce and encouraging Welsh hospitality businesses to source more local food and drink.
John Richards, producer and processor support lead at HCC, said that while environmental sustainability was important, ensuring the sustainability of Welsh farms as viable and profitable businesses was also crucial.
Mr Richards said: “When we hear the term ‘sustainability’, we often immediately think of environmental sustainability, but we really need to consider the economic and social
sustainability of farms and wider rural communities as well.
“Ensuring that Welsh farm businesses are profitable and financially sustainable is crucial going forward.”
On the subject of environmental
MILK deliveries for Great Britain in September were estimated to have totalled 970 million litres, up 0.8% compared to the same period in 2023, according to the AHDB.
Average daily deliveries were estimated at 32.3m litres.
AHDB analyst Annabel Twinberrow said: “Production for this year’s milk season so far [April-September] is estimated to be 6,230m litres, down 0.6% compared to the same period of the year before.
“Improved levels of production in September have helped to revive overall output, after a challenging start to the year, as discussed in our milk forecasting forum.
“AHDB’s Forage For Knowledge data shows a flush of grass growth in September, with improved quality following recent rainfall, which has helped to boost milk production.”
Last month’s forecast projected
a total production of 12.28 billion litres for the entire 2024/25 season, with a more positive outlook ahead which would put GB production 0.3% back on the previous milk year.
Ms Twinberrow said: “However, an autumn boost to milk production could make this outlook look pessimistic. Much will depend on what happens as we move into October.
“The very wet start to the month will concern many, given last year’s challenges.”
Recent increases to milk prices should help ‘reassure farmers’, Ms Twinberrow said, but she highlighted strong cull prices and continuing financial challenges to expansion including labour, interest rates and environmental regulatory demands meant the size of the GB milking herd could still be at risk.
sustainability, he said farmers produced high-quality food and started from a strong baseline.
“Of course, there is room for improvement, but with our practices, landscape and climate, we come from a strong starting point.”
He said he could take someone to ‘any farm in Wales’ and show examples of good practice.
“We can make improvements by ensuring that excellent practice is delivered at every single stage of production and processing right to the end consumer,” he added.
The panel was chaired by Dr
Eifiona Thomas Lane, of Bangor University’s School of Environment and Natural Sciences.
Dr Lane said: “Many of the products we produce here in Wales, such as protected geographical indication [PGI] Welsh Lamb, PGI Welsh Beef, Welsh seafood and Aber Falls spirits, are high-quality, premium products.” She added that as part of that, there was a ‘duty and expectation’ premium products should be leading the way in terms of sustainable and ethical production.
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● Labour availability also a major factor
By Cedric Porter
MORE must be done to support the increased use of on-farm automation and technology, an overwhelming 83% of agricultural professionals said in a survey carried out by the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM).
An even higher amount – 90% –recognised automation and artificial intelligence (AI) as offering significant opportunities, with 86% saying that technology and innovation will enhance farm management.
Availability of human resources might be the biggest factor in holding back the uptake of technology, according to the research, with 89% saying that labour availability affects full-time positions and 70% seeing a similar impact on part-time roles. Key areas identified to improve skills included prioritising technical skills and improving digital literacy.
Victoria Bywater, IAgrM director, said: “AI is here to stay and we are beginning to see practical applications reach farms, such as targeted crop nutrition, precision pesticide application and advanced weather forecasting.”
She added its upcoming conference would have a session dedicated to which sort of intelligent farm systems would be needed in the future.
‘Supercharge’ efficiency
It came as data and analytics company GlobalData claimed AI would ‘supercharge efficiency’ in agriculture by supporting precision agriculture, automating labour-intensive tasks, verifying the sustainability of the supply chain and accelerate gene editing of crops.
Its latest Strategic Intelligence report, Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, said the natural language capabilities of generative AI will improve knowledge sharing and skill acquisition across the sector.
Aoife McGurk, associate analyst strategic intelligence at GlobalData, said: “Agriculture is facing numer-
MORE INFORMATION
For more on artificial intelligence, read this week’s Farming Matters on p86.
AI is already being used on-farm, but a lack of skilled labour could be a major factor in holding back the uptake of technology.
ous complex challenges and pressure on the sector to produce food for a growing population has never been greater.”
She added climate change was also making farming more costly and less reliable.
“To overcome these challenges, the agriculture sector must embrace emerging technologies like AI to produce more food with fewer resources.”
She added the potential to verify supply chain sustainability could help businesses meet requirements, such as the European
Union’s new deforestation law, giving the example of Cargill using AI to analyse satellite images to verify its supply chains were not involved in deforestation.
However, she acknowledged issues of scale and tight profit margins meant much of the farming sector faced a slow rate of technological adoption, especially with emerging technologies such as AI.
INFORMATION
The IAgrM conference takes place on November 7 at the QEII Centre in London.
AI is here to stay and we are beginning to see practical applications reach farms VICTORIA BYWATER
INDUSTRY leaders have expressed their disappointment following the Government’s decision to maintain autonomous tariff quotas (ATQ) for raw cane sugar in 2025, highlighting the threat it posed to the UK beet sector.
The Government has announced it will maintain the ATQ at 260,000 tonnes for 2025. It has also committed to review the process for deter-
mining the ATQ and related considerations for 2026 and beyond.
But the NFU said the Government’s decision asked home-grown beet growers to go ‘toe-to-toe’ with major producers such as Brazil, which benefits from a competitive advantage derived from regulatory divergence with the UK. It said removal of the tariff was the ‘only long-term position’.
NFU Sugar Board chair Michael Sly said: “We continue to consider a zero-tariff quota for raw cane sugar highly concerning, unjustified and unnecessary.
“As recently as August, the Government committed in its ‘new deal for farmers’ that we would not be undercut by low standards in trade deals.
“British sugar beet growers are some of the most efficient in the
world, but allowing tariff-free access to sugar from any country, produced in ways that would be illegal in the UK, simply undercuts them. This quota system also undermines the existing preferential access granted to developing countries.
“We remain fundamentally opposed to an ATQ for raw cane sugar, regardless of its size,” Mr Sly added.
As part of October Wool Month’s wider global Campaign for Wool, South Africa is seeking to raise the profile of its product.
By Jane Thynne
DESPITE a ‘modest decline’ during the past season, South Africa remains one of the world’s top 10 wool producers as it looks to build its presence in Europe.
According to industry association Cape Wools SA, the wool industry supports more than 8,000 commercial farmers, as well as about 45,000 communal farmers.
It recorded an output of 46.1 million kilograms during 2023-2024 and is the country’s seventh largest agricultural export in terms of value, with Q1 of 2024 accounting for in excess of £60m.
The wool is derived from 15m primarily merino sheep, produced with a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
As part of October Wool Month’s wider global Campaign for Wool, the country is seeking to raise the profile of its product, increasing its stake in existing and new markets.
This year’s campaign, which supports wool from across the Commonwealth, is urging consumers to
■ McDONALD’S has filed a lawsuit against some of the largest meat processors in the US, accusing them of price fixing.
The fast food giant has taken legal action against Cargill, the US subsidiary of JBS, Tyson Foods and National Beef, alleging they conspired to limit beef supplies.
It is the latest accusation against the meat processors, with farmers, consumers and beef
‘check it’s wool’, warning that ‘every synthetic garment ever created still exists in some form, haunting our beautiful planet’.
Around 80% of South Africa’s exports are bound for China, but Dalena White, secretary general of the International Wool Textile Organisation, said the country’s ethical and sustainable practices meant it had the potential to grow its customer base in Europe, with the Czech Republic and Italy already accounting for about 13% of exports.
Ms White said: “The European market presents numerous opportunities for South African wool producers to leverage their sustainability status.
“As consumers in Europe increasingly prioritise environmentally responsible products, South Africa’s commitment to sustainable wool production positions it favourably in this competitive landscape.
buyers having also made similar allegations.
SIX CASES OF HUMAN BIRD FLU
■ THECaliforniaDepartmentofPublic Healthhasnowconfirmedsixcases ofhuman bird flu. All are individuals in the Central Valley and had direct contact with infected dairy cows. Two cases originated from the same farm, where both people had ‘extensive exposure to infected dairy cattle’, according to the California Department of Public Health.
This alignment with European values not only enhances marketability, but also opens doors for collaborations and partnerships within the
region, ultimately fostering greater trade relationships and driving economic growth in the South African wool industry.”
Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768 796 492 – angela.calvert@agriconnect.com
For more features, go to farmersguardian.com/farm-life
Producing quality store cattle is the focus for the Swinbank family, with the Limousin breed proving instrumental to their success. Katie Fallon finds out more.
Since moving to Cold Comfort Farm, near Darlington, 30 years ago, Nigel and Jane Swinbank have always strived to improve their beef enterprise. With the help of their daughter, Kate, and her passion for quality, the family’s 160cow suckler herd has continued to push forwards.
Originally farming at Lartington, near Barnard Castle, with 24 suckler cows and one stock bull, Nigel
■ 243hectares(600acres),including 100ha(247acres)ofcontinuous wheat,withtherestgrassland
■ 120BritishBluecrossLimousin spring-calvedcowsand40autumn calvers
■ FourpedigreeLimousinstockbulls
■ Allcalvessoldasstorecattle
and Jane moved to Cold Comfort Farm following the introduction of the suckler cow premium in 1993.
With more than 200 head of cattle, the couple invested heavily in infrastructure, putting up several new cattle sheds.
Nigel says: “We wanted to build our cattle numbers up slowly, but it happened so quickly, and we felt the subsidy would be our only chance to build numbers significantly.”
It was from here that the couple
betweeneightand10monthsold
■ Grasslandregularlyreseeded, withallsilagebaledandretained forownuse
■ Three50kWroof-mountedsolar systemsinstalledoncattleshed buildings,exporting95%ofelectricity totheNationalGrid
decided to focus on improving the quality of their stock, rather than the quantity.
Since returning home to farm with her parents after studying at Harper Adams University, Kate has been the key driving force in producing quality suckler calves.
Today, the farm comprises 243 hectares (600 acres), including 100ha (247 acres) of continuous wheat. The herd currently stands at 120 spring calving cows and 40 autumn calvers, all of which are British Blue cross Limousin cows and are bred to one of the family’s four pedigree Limousin bulls.
Kate says: “We started to filter out the cows that were not producing the best calves, and over the years [we] have tried to build that quality up. We do not carry passengers, and we are hard on culling.”
To help improve their calibre of cattle, the family have bought replacement in-calf heifers and heifers with calves at foot, mainly from Kirkby Stephen and Barnard Castle auction markets, with some purchased privately.
After several years of fine-tuning the herd, the family is now starting to retain more of their own replacement heifers.
Jane says: “The quality of cattle has really improved since Kate has got more involved on-farm – she has really driven that side of things.”
As well as a focus on high-end breeding females, the family is also selective with bulls, and they tend to buy stock bulls at a younger age to bring on slowly into the herd.
Nigel says: “We are quite selective; we do use estimated breeding values when choosing bulls, but [we] also go by breeding lines and our own judgement.”
Kate says: “Calving ease is important to us when choosing a bull and a live calf is number one, but we are pushing for that quality too.”
Stock bulls are usually bought at Carlisle auction market at pedigree sales and weaned calf sales in December.
“We do not keep any females which do not have a good temperament, and we feel by getting our bulls young and well-handled they also develop a good temperament, which filters through to the calves,” says Kate.
In recent years, the farm’s main stock bull has been Barrons Lumberjack, a Wilodge Cerberus son which the family bought from Willy Barron, Durham, at Carlisle’s weaned calf sale in 2015.
Nigel says: “He has been a great stock-getter for us and is still going strong.”
Coming up through the ranks and next in line as the farm’s main stock bull is Barrons Prince, also bought from Mr Barron. The Barrons Major son, out of a Wilodge Cerberus cow, was bought from another weaned calf sale at Carlisle in 2019.
Kate says: “He has run with 50 cows this summer, and will go on to
The majority of the spring-born calves are sold at suckler calf sales at Darlington and Barnard Castle.
run with the majority of cows alongside Lumberjack.”
The family also runs a young bull, which is currently with a handful of cows, and an older Norman-bred bull, which is helping to introduce fresh bloodlines as more of their own heifers are retained for breeding.
“We really feel the Limousin is the breed for us, as it has that easy calving side while producing good suckler calves,” says Nigel.
Calves are creep-fed from five months old, with heifers and steers sold as store cattle between eight and 10 months old through Barnard Castle and Darlington auction markets.
Kate says: “The majority of our spring-born calves will be sold at suckler calf sales at Darlington and Barnard Castle at the end of October.”
In 2012, the Swinbank family installed three 50kW roof-mounted solar systems on some of their cattle sheds.
We really feel the Limousin is the breed for us, as it has that easy calving side while producing good suckler calves
suckler sales. This February, the family took the top price at Barnard Castle’s haltered show potential sale, peaking at £3,700 for a Limousin cross heifer by stock bull Barrons Lumberjack.
The family has also been placed champion at Darlington mart’s October suckled calf sale in both 2023 and 2022. And in 2022, they claimed first place in the North East Limousin commercial herd competition, which was in celebration of 50 years of the Limousin breed.
Alongside the suckler herd, the family also runs 100ha (247 acres) of continuous wheat, the majority of which is Group 1 milling wheat. All straw is baled and kept for bedding and feeding cattle, with contractors brought in to help with harvest and silaging.
In 2012, the family also made a significant investment in renewable energy, installing three 50kW roof-mounted solar systems on some of their cattle sheds.
NIGEL SWINBANK
Nigel says that the family previously fattened their own cattle, but then decided their strength lay in the breeding, calving and rearing of suckler calves.
Kate says: “We have installed
cameras in the calving sheds over the last few years and they have been a great investment. By just checking the cameras we can make sure calves are up and suckled without interference.”
Kate says she has also begun halter training some of the ‘top-end’ calves, with a view to entering more show potential store cattle into
But although top prices are certainly an achievement, both Nigel and Kate believe it is the average prices which really count.
Nigel says: “It is all about the averages, not just the top end. We are aiming to keep producing quality and consistency.”
Cattle are grazed from the beginning of April through to the middle of November, depending on the weather. All cattle are fed home-grown baled silage and straw during the winter months, with calves creep-fed.
Nigel says: “We got them installed and registered while the Feed-in Tariffs were still good, and [we] export 95% of the electricity to the grid. It is another enterprise within the business and brings in its own income.”
Looking to the future, the family remains focused on producing high-quality suckler calves, with consistency continuing to be an important part of their success.
Nigel says: “It is what we have always done, and I believe in doing what you do best – and if it works, do not change it.”
All cattle are fed home-grown baled silage and straw during winter, with calves creep-fed.
Edited by Alice Dyer – 07966 445 458 – alice.dyer@agriconnect.com
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As pressure mounts on the industry to reach net zero, Welsh agronomist Chris Taylor embarked on a Nuffield Scholarship to find out how farmers around the world are heading down the same regenerative path. Alice Dyer reports.
Regenerative farming has been placed on a pedestal in recent years as the pinnacle of farm resilience and reaching net zero. But does it really provide a solution for UK farmers to meet net zero, while remaining profitable, enhancing the local environment and feeding a growing population. And if so, how?
In a bid to find out, Welsh agronomist Chris Taylor set off on a Nuffield Scholarship tour, travelling from Canada to the USA and
Brazil, where regenerative farming systems are well established, back to Europe through France, Norway, Denmark and the UK. He says: “I wanted to understand
An improvement in soil organic levels of just 0.1% can sequester approximately nine tonnes of carbon per year
CHRIS TAYLOR
if regenerative practices could provide more resilient, profitable and productive cropping systems with improved climate benefits.”
In the Americas, Mr Taylor met farmers who face threats including extreme wind erosion, low rainfall and glyphosate resistance. As a result, they have adapted their systems to mitigate against these.
At the Dakota Lakes Research Farm, known as the Home of Regenerative Agriculture, there is very little in-season rainfall and farmers rely on catching snow melt and not losing moisture to evapotranspiration.
This is achieved by leaving crop stubble long to capture snow and reduce soil erosion from the wind. It also helps to build soil organic matter. A study carried out by Cornell University on the farm demonstrated that its soils could take
254mm of rainfall per hour without any run-off occurring as a result.
However, Mr Taylor says it was the organic no-tillers he met on his travels which he gained the most value in talking to.
“One organic no-till farm I visited crimped rye and left mulch on top. The country has huge glyphosate resistance challenges but these were the cleanest soyabeans I saw on my travels.
“This made me consider my position as an agronomist and what we should be doing culturally to avoid inputs that are unnecessary and just build resistance issues.”
Another key ambition for Mr Taylor was to see how farmers are fixing carbon in the soil.
“An improvement in soil organic levels of just 0.1% can sequester approximately nine tonnes of carbon per year.
“My initial goal was to find out
how, but what I found was very intangible. Everyone I met in Canada and the USA had told me organic matter [OM] increases had come through a change in practice for other reasons.
“One farmer I met took eight years of strip tilling to gain the right to grow no-till corn. In that eightyear journey, he started with soil organic matter levels of 3.5% and by the time it finished he was at 5% and had seen massive fuel savings in that time.”
Towards the end of his tour, Mr Taylor began to reconsider how the rest of his study would take shape in order for him to gain more insight into the tangible benefits of increasing OM, which he could then report back.
“I heard a lot about workload improvements, productivity, profitability, timeliness and prevention of wind and water erosion, so I decided to look at emissions as well as sequestration.”
On UK arable farms, 90% of greenhouse gas emissions come down to fuel, fertiliser and operations.
In France, Mr Taylor was able to see the impact of two different establishment systems side-by-side after visiting a farmer whose field had been split in two, with one half tenanted. The tenant had asked him to plough their side, with his side kept as no-till.
On the ploughed side, 37 litres/ hectare more fuel was used and overall establishment costs were €100/ha (£84/ha) more.
On another neighbouring farm, Mr Taylor looked at the fertility benefits.
“Half the farm was organic and half was conventional. I found the organic side fascinating [in terms of] how he built fertility using rotation. Lucerne was one of the unsung
heroes of my study, especially in the organic sector for building fertility in a rotation. On this particular farm, lucerne had been in the ground for six months and the rooting was already down several feet.”
Since his return to the UK, Mr Taylor has contemplated his findings and how they can benefit UK growers.
He says: “One thing I have reflected on over the past 12 months is managing the transition for people looking to go into regen. Getting cycling of nutrients in the soil is key to making it successful.
“It has been a challenging 12 months in terms of weather practices, but we have seen that people doing regen, especially direct drilling, have fared a lot better than those early on in the transition or [who had] not put structure in before all that rain came.”
Mr Taylor recommends farmers look to obtain a good baseline now of both soil organic matter and carbon status.
1
The best time to sample fields for organic matter was 20 years ago, the second-best time is now
2 Carry out a whole-farm carbon audit to identify areas to target for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and understand your current sequestration potential
3 A transition to regenerative farming should be planned thoroughly with a phased
formance and see where you have got areas for improvement.
“When soil sampling across fields, most farmers tend to get a relatively shallow sample of up to 15cm, but that is giving the OM that is more easy come, easy go.
“Some farmers have found OM readings of 7-8% and they are really pleased, and then an independent carbon auditor has tested down to 30cm and OM has dropped to 2.5-3%.
At the Dakota Lakes Research Farm crop stubble is left long to capture snow melt and reduce soil erosion from wind.
I think carbon calculators will change quite dramatically in the next five to 10 years, but the information that goes into them will not
CHRIS TAYLOR
“My theory is that the best time to sample soils for OM was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now. Once you have got that as a baseline, you can measure your per-
■ Objective one: Meetingnetzero whilemaintainingproductivityand profitabilityonfarms
■ Objective two: Ensuring agricultureisresilienttoaneverchangingclimate,fullofextreme weatherevents
■ Objective three: Improving organicmatter(carbon)levelsin ouragriculturalsoils
“I have been trying to do a bespoke, slightly deeper sample for more of that longer-term carbon storage down to 30cm as a better way of getting a reasonable benchmark.
“I think carbon calculators will change quite dramatically in the next five to 10 years, but the information that goes into them will not, so good historic data will be useful.”
When it comes to carbon and reaching net zero, Mr Taylor’s advice is to not get too hung up on this being the ultimate goal.
“There are a lot of benefits for adopting regenerative practices, such as fuel savings, time and input
approach that you and your business are comfortable with
4 Seek guidance and advice from practitioners of regenerative farming to help implement practices that will help your business move forward in a more sustainable manner
5 In selling carbon credits off the farm, ensure you are not undermining your potential to hit net zero in your own right in the future
savings. What we really want is to build a more resilient farm business to mitigate climate change, rising input costs and resistance issues.
“If you are selling carbon credits off the farm, ensure you are not undermining your own potential to hit net zero in the future because you have sold all your credits.”
For growers considering a transition to regenerative farming, Mr Taylor says there is a very open and supportive network out there.
“I have found there is a lot of openness and honesty, and a desire to bring everyone along on that journey.”
He recommends attending events and open days with leaders including Groundswell, Innovation for Ag, ADAS and Farm Carbon Toolkit Soil Farmer of the Year.
Chris Taylor’s Nuffield Farming report, ‘Do regenerative farming practices pave the way for UK agriculture to meet net zero? ’ is available to read on the Nuffield Farming report library and a video is available on the Nuffield Farming YouTube channel.
Many growers saw significant wheat yield drops this harvest.
By Alice Dyer
AVERAGE yields were down across all crops reviewed in AHDB’s harvest survey, with spring crops performing much better than winter crops as the final harvest results come in.
Winter wheat yields were 7.3% below the five-year average, averaging 7.5 tonnes per hectare according to the report, which uses data collected from UK farms. Some growers managed to produce high yields given the circumstances, but many have seen significant drops, says AHDB.
Meanwhile, protein contents were low, but specific weight of milling samples has been encouraging, averaging 76-78kg/hl. Some feed samples exceeded 80kg/hl.
UK Flour Millers Group 1 samples have averaged generally at 11.5-12%, though some samples have exceeded 13%.
Weather conditions were favourable during much of the 2024 wheat harvest, and 88% was cut by
■ Wheat: 7.5 tonnes per hectare - down 7.3% on the five-year average
■ Winter barley: 6.13t/hadown 13%
■ Winter oilseed rape: 2.75t/ha - down 7.7%
■ Oats: 5.28t/ha - down 3%
Source: AHDB
August 28 (week seven). This was well ahead of the five-year average of 60% complete at that stage. But progress slowed in September as rain and humid conditions brought interruptions.
For winter barley, harvest was the second quickest in the past five years, behind only 2022, according to the report. It was completed in the week ended August 21.
The final estimate of winter barley yields from this survey was 6.13t/ha, a 13% decline on the fiveyear average yield across the UK. There was significant deviation in yields between regions. Winter malting barley quality is good. Although there have been some lower bushel weights and subsequently lower screenings, merchants report that the crop is very usable for the domestic market.
Specific weights have ranged from 59-72kg/hl, with an average of 64kg/hl. Nitrogen levels within winter malting barley have averaged 1.5%, with a range of 1.3-1.6%.
AHDB says this is low for winter malting barley, as maltsters typically look for grain N of up to 1.75%. This could prove a challenge for exporting, with a higher N level required for continental malting.
Germination in the winter malting crop has been good, with almost all of the crop above 98%.
For spring barley, harvest progression varied depending on the crop’s readiness for harvest and the weather conditions. Harvest was wrapped up by October 2.
The UK average yield was estimated at 5.7t/ha, a 3.4% decline on the five-year average. However, spring malting barley samples seen so far have been particularly good. Grains are generally a good size, with specific weights higher than those of winter malting varieties.
N content averaged 1.45%, with samples ranging from 1.2-2%. Samples at the high end for N are few and far between, with the majority of samples in the 1.2-1.6% range.
AHDB says this may cause challenges where exports are based on minimum N specification, with most UK samples falling below this threshold.
The winter oilseed rape harvest progressed ahead of average throughout and was the quickest since 2022, when hot and dry weather led to very quick progress. However, yields were down 7.7% across the UK, at an average of 2.97t/ha. AHDB says yield declines
this season are not entirely due to pest pressure, although pressure was high. Anecdotally, there have also been challenges with clubroot and some smaller seed sizes.
The average oil content has been reported as 45%, with very few samples below 44%. While part of the driver of low yields has been smaller seed sizes, this has not impacted oil content.
Oat yields have been variable across the UK, and between winter and spring oats. On average, the oat yield was down 3% at 5.28t/ha. Quality for both winter and spring oats has been good, and most samples are of milling specification.
Helen Plant, AHDB senior analyst, says: “Despite being planted later than usual, spring [cereal] crops generally fared much better than winter crops, which had a very tough start with the second-wettest August through February since 1837, when records began.
“It is evident just how variable yields are from region to region, farm to farm, and field to field.
“This is not surprising given the unusual weather we have experienced, but the larger drop in yields for some businesses will pose significant cashflow challenges.”
Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768 796 492
For more sales content, go to
l New centre record for the breed is set
TRADE for Blackface rams at Stirling peaked at £60,000, a centre record for the breed, with 587 selling to an average of £1,393, an increase of £272 per head on the year.
Leading the way was a shearling from the Bennies, brothers Willie and Ewan, and their families, Gartocharn. The son of a £70,000 Dalchirla ram out of a dam by a £14,000 Glenrath was knocked down to Malcolm Coubrough, Crawford; Jimmy Wallace, Dalry; John Finlay, Corsock; and the Ramsays, Dalry.
The second top price of £11,000 was paid for a shearling from Alan Smith’s Wester Crosswoodhill flock,
West Calder. By a £4,000 Craigdarroch, it sold to A. and J. MacPherson, Dores, and A. MacDonald, Ess and Dalbuiack, Carrbridge.
Jimmy and Donald MacGregor, Milton of Campsie, received £10,000 for a son of a £12,000 Dyke, which went to Colin McClymont, Newton Stewart, and Rob Hannah, Stranraer.
Another to hit the £10,000 mark was a shearling from the Dunlop family’s Elmscleugh flock, Dunbar. The son of £125,000 Nunnerie went to Chirmorrie Farm, Barrhill, Girvan.
Ram lambs
The 114 ram lambs averaged £936, back by £19 on last year, with trade peaking at £6,000 twice.
Firstly, for a ram lamb from Eoin Blackwood, Dalblair, which was a son of a £22,000 Dyke and sold to J. Graham and Son, Kirkton, Penicuik.
The other was son of a Rock ram
IT was the end of an era for Michael Read, Hemingby, who dispersed his Hemingby herd of Lincoln Red cattle at Louth, along with a British Blue bull and British Blue cross-breds.
The sale peaked at 7,500gns for
the three-year-old British Blue bull, Almadan Reggie, a son of Sandyvale Jagerbomb, which sold to Riby Grange Farms, Grimsby.
Pedigree cows topped at 5,500gns for Hemingby Treasure A1379, a
Cautley Thwaite Hurricane, a shearling from M.D. and J.D. Handley, Sedbergh, which sold for 8,500gns.
THE show and sale of Rough Fell rams at J36 peaked at 8,500gns for the shearling, Cautley Thwaite Hurricane, from M.D. and J.D. Handley, Sedbergh, which sold to T.L.B. and J. Knowles, Selside, and K. Milburn and A. Devlin, Sedbergh.
The Handleys also sold Cautley Thwaite Harrier at 7,000gns. The buyers were M.P. and A. Capstick, Kirkby Stephen, who themselves sold the pre-sale show champion, Brownber Huntsman, at 3,500gns to J. Hodgson, Askham, and the reserve champion, Brownber Holistic,
at 3,000gns to P. and S. Hoggarth, Sedbergh.
I. and M. Mallinson, Selside, sold High Cark Hunter to Messrs Handley for 3,200gns.
Ram lambs peaked at 700gns for J. and I. Capstick, Kirkby Stephen, selling to J.E. Harding, Caernarfon. Aged rams sold to 600gns for Brownber Feature from S.W. Huck, Kirkby Stephen.
AVERAGES
Shearling rams, £997; aged rams, £405; ram lambs, £395.
Auctioneers: North West Auctions.
2021-born cow scanned in-calf to Holegate Yogi, which was bought by Wartton, Rand.
Hemingby Treasure A1372, scanned in-calf to Beverly Atomic, sold for 3,700gns to L. Kemp, Sutton-cum-Granby. Its heifer calf at foot, Hemingby Treasure D1511, made 1,500gns to T.D. Nicholls, Aylesbury.
T. Green, Grantham, paid 3,400gns for Hemingby Polly Z1283, which was by Hemingby Illustrious and in-calf to Holegate Yogi. Its heifer calf at foot made 2,000gns, also to Messrs Nicholls.
Heifer calves
Heifer calves topped at 2,500gns for Hemingby Orchid D1538 by Brackenhurst Viper, which sold to G.D. Strawson, Retford.
In-calf heifers topped at 4,000gns for Hemingby Treasure B1395, which went to Battlefield
Blackface shearling ram, from the Bennies, brothers Willie and Ewan, and their families, Gartocharn, which sold for £60,000.
from Richard Carruthers, Thornhill, which sold to W. Stevenson and Son, Ballantrae, and N.S.P. Parry, Carsphairn. Auctioneers: United Auctions.
THE A District Swaledale ram sale on behalf of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association at Middletonin-Teesdale averaged £1,334.96, an increase of £62.18 on the year.
Leading the trade at £16,000 was the champion from Messrs Hutchinson, Valley Farm, Bowes, which sold
Stud, Burythorpe. Maiden heifers sold to 2,100gns for Hemingby Polly C1464, a daughter of Donnington Xanadu, which was knocked down to the University of Lincoln.
British Blue cross-bred cattle topped at 2,750gns for a 2020-born cow, with its heifer calf at foot also selling for £1,300.
The outfit went to M. and H. Pick, Melton Mowbray, who also paid 2,500gns for a 2021-born cow and £2,200 for its heifer calf.
AVERAGES
3 stock bulls, £5,000; 33 pedigree Lincoln Red cows, £2,227.27; 37 calves, £1,215.41; 12 in-calf heifers, £2,975; 16 maiden heifers, £1,556.25; 2 cross-bred cows, £2,625.
Auctioneers: Louth Livestock Market.
£16,000
to Messrs Ridley, Haltcliffe, Hesket Newmarket.
Messrs Watson, Stoney Hill, then followed at £12,000 for their third prize large breeders ram, which sold in a three-way split to Messrs Hutchinson, Bail Hill; Messrs Millar, Pallet Crag; and Messrs Staley, Poppin Cottage.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
l Three rams sell for £5,000 each
A NEW crossing type Bluefaced Leicester centre record of £32,000 was set at Carlisle for the pre-sale show champion, a ram lamb from Marion and William Porter’s Skelgate flock, Reeth.
Out of a Hewgill-bred ewe by Riddings L7 and by £12,000 Brennand S1, which was bought at Hawes last year, it sold to Messrs Ridley, Wark; Messrs Thornborrow, Stobo; Messrs Brown, Thornhill; and Messrs Shennan, Girvan.
Next, at £8,000, was Howgate T5, a ram lamb by Smearsett D15 Ted and out of a Carry House ewe by Ronaldo, from Jordan Rutter-Armstrong, Langwathby, which was knocked down to Allan and Sons, Dufton.
The pen from Martyn Archer, Wark, topped at £5,200 for T30 Carry House by Midlock Magic, sire of the champion and reserve plus top price at Hawes, which was out of a homebred ewe by Steel Bruno. The buyer was J. Browell and Sons, Hexham.
Three ram lambs sold for £5,000. The first was a son of Spurrig P2 from W.M. Reed and Sons’ West Big-
A TOP bid of £3,360, with another 20 bids over £3,000, was the highlight of the dispersal of the Wigfair herd of registered Holstein Friesians for Huw and Meinir Jones, held on-farm near St Asaph, Denbighshire. The sale leader was a newly calved second calver by Applejax out of a 13,021kg dam.
Calved heifers
Applejax also sired the top-priced calved heifer at £3,255, which had calved last month and was out of a 12,548kg dam. Two sold at 3,050gns:
a second calver and a third calver, both by Applejax.
Dry cows by Jeronimo and Applejax, carrying their third calves by the British Blue, sold to 2,500gns.
In-calf heifers due to the Limousin stock bull sold to 2,000gns.
259 milking cows and heifers (including faults), £2,120; 16 in-calf heifers, £1,727. Auctioneers: Gwilym Richards and Market Drayton Market.
THERE was an increased entry of 634 at the two-day suckled calf sale at Ruswarp, where all entries were under 12 months old and most were seven to nine months old. Averages were up on the year.
Young bulls
Young bulls topped the sale at £2,000 for the champion, a Limousin from Dean Allen, Thornton le Dale, which sold to the judge, Wayne Turnbull, Driffield, on behalf of Mrs Mason. Mr Allen averaged £1,738 for five bulls.
The reserve champion from Tom Thompson, Lealholm, made £1,700 to J. Marshall, Spaunton.
Mr Thompson also topped the steers at £1,480 with a Limousin, averaging £1,452 for five, and topped the heifers at £1,450, averaging £1,267 for 17.
AVERAGES
Charolais – steers, £1,114; heifers, £975; bulls, £1,190. Limousin –steers, £1,060; heifers, £1,047; bulls, £1,239. British Blonde – steers, £1,169; heifers, £1,192; bulls, £1,250. Aberdeen-Angus – steers, £927; heifers, £918. British Blue – bulls, £1,060. Simmental – bulls, £1,170. Overall – steers, £1,072; heifers, £1,010; bulls, £1,269. Auctioneers: Richardson and Smith.
Pre-sale show champion, a ram lamb, from Marion and William Porter’s Skelgate flock, Reeth, which sold for a new centre record of £32,000.
gins flock, Westgate, which sold to David Hill, Asby. Next, from John and Callum Park’s Forebrae flock,
Sanquhar, was a lamb by an Alwinton ram, which went home with Messrs Hamilton, Abington. The final £5,000 bid was for another son of Midlock Magic, this time from J. Hunter and Sons’ Steel flock, Bellingham, which sold to Messrs English, Wark.
Shearling rams topped at £4,000 for W.H. and D.A. Gass’ Nunscleugh flock, Bewcastle, with a son of Carry House R5, which went to Messrs Nicholson and Son, Carlisle.
AVERAGES
1 aged ram, £3,000; 113 shearling rams, £992.48; 210 ram lambs, £1,315.21; females, £400.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
THE Dalesbred Sheep Breeders Association sale of rams at Bentham topped at £11,000 with a 94% clearance rate.
This was for a shearling from Chris and Henry Fawcett, Kingsdale, which sold to John Kelsall, Cold Cotes; Stephen Wright, Roeburndale; and Bainbridge Brothers, Richmond. Next, at £7,500, was Mick Carr, Brackenbottom, with his best shearling, which sold to Messrs Tiplady, Leyburn.
J.M. and J.J. Dawson, Littledale, sold their best ram at £5,000, and R. Jackson and Son, Horton in Ribblesdale, sold at £4,500. This was followed by J.K. Wilson, Blubberhouses, at £4,000, which was matched by Richard Close, Starbotton.
Aged rams sold to £2,600 for a three-shear ram from Richard Coates, Alnwick, and John Kelsall
sold a four-shear ram at £2,000. Ram lambs peaked at £600 for Richard Lancaster, Clitheroe.
The first prize winners in the large breeders class and overall champion pen of ewes from the Capsticks, Fell End, sold for £270/head to Alistair Prickett, Farleton.
Three-crop ewes sold to £400/head for a pair from David Lambert, Semerview. Shearlings topped at £320/head for a pair from John Bradley, Giggleswick, who also sold a trio at £300/head. The winning gimmer lambs from Godfrey and Allison Haygarth, Settle, led the section at £165/head.
Shearling rams, £821 (+£70 on 2023); ewes, £142 (+£3); shearlings, £182 (+£66); gimmer lambs, £100.15 (+£18).
Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Son.
A shearling ram, from Chris and Henry Fawcett, Kingsdale, which sold for the top price of £11,000 to John Kelsall, Cold Cotes; Stephen Wright, Roeburndale; and Bainbridge Brothers, Richmond.
● Broken registered bitches averaged £3,364
SHAUN Richards, Pen-y-Borough Sheepdogs, Eldroth, topped the Farmers Guardian-supported sale of working sheepdogs at Skipton at 6,000gns, with his two-year-old black and white bitch, Gem.
The daughter of Ross Games’ Preseli Bronk, out of Neil Redman’s Oaktree Lynn, which was bought by Mr Richards eight months ago, went to an undisclosed buyer.
Next, at 5,600gns, was Colin Birkett, Carnforth, with the February 2022-born black and white bitch, Netherbeck Jenny, by Frank Hickson’s Chase, out of home-bred Millie.
Mr Birkett was running Jenny on behalf of his 18-year-old daughter, Ellen. The buyer was John Marsh, Eastbourne.
William Bell, Kelbrook, took 5,000gns for his March 2020-born black, white and tan dog, Mac, which was bought at 12 months old from breeder Frank Ainsworth and sold to Mark Dale, Goole.
To find out where we will be next, go to farmersguardian.com/mth-roadshow
Making 4,800gns for Janine Ashworth, Rossendale, was 16-month-old Valley View Finn, a home-bred son of Kevin Evans’ Hendre Sam.
Hitting 4,100gns was Brynley Williams, Holywell, Flintshire, with his May 2022-born black and white bitch, Penny, by Richy Hutchinson’s Jonah, which was knocked down to Ben Edmondson, Lockerbie.
Richard Crowe, Isle of Man, sold
his 18-month-old black and white bitch, Intack Bee, for 3,550gns to G. Howells, Carmarthen, and his home-bred May 2023-born black and white bitch, Elsye, to Auchenchey, Dumfries, for 3,100gns.
Robin Bell, Hawick, took 3,500gns for the July 2023-born red and white bitch, Isla, which sold to S.C. Barron, Thirsk.
Mr Bell then paid the top price from
the unbroken pen of 1,700gns for a 16-week-old pup by Kemi Jack, from Liam O’Malley, Hollywell.
AVERAGES
Broken registered dogs, £2,505; broken registered bitches, £3,364; part-broken/pup registered dogs, £752; a part-broken/pup registered bitch, £945.
Auctioneers: CCM.
● Second top price of 8,500gns for reserve
TOPPING the Highland Cattle Society show and sale at Oban at 13,000gns was the overall and senior champion, Catriona Akeko of Balrownie, from the Carnegie family, Brechin, Angus.
The three-year-old was by Eoin Mhor 17 of Mottistone, which cost a record-breaking 23,000gns when bought alongside Akeko’s dam, Catriona Akeko of Mottistone, at the fold’s dispersal sale. The heifer had been
reserve female at the National Show at Black Isle, and was also overall champion at Fettercairn and the East of Scotland Club Show. It sold in-calf to Uilleam 2 of Earn to Kevin and Sonya Fletcher, Coul Estates, Laggan.
Lili of Balrownie, by the same sire and out of Lili 23 of Achnacloich from the same home, sold for 7,000gns to Alfie Cheyne, Mayen Estate, Huntly, who bought 21 animals.
The second top price of 8,500gns was for the reserve two-year-old champion, Cadrann 4 of Eilean Mor, a daughter of Harris of Balemartine
AT the sale of Derbyshire Gritstone sheep at Clitheroe, the championship went to a shearling ram from S. Eggleton, Holmfirth, which sold for the top price of 4,200gns to R.S. Howard and Son, Guide.
The reserve champion was a threeshear Dixon-bred ram from K. and S. Kempson and Son, Waterfoot, which made 1,200gns to the Wood family, High Peak.
The top price ram lamb at 580gns was from J. Eggleton, Bradford, which sold to E.A.M. Tattersall, Darwen. The first prize winning lamb from P.D. Mitchell, Lazonby, made 450gns.
S. Whitehead, Carnforth, sold two rams for 3,000gns each to K. Greenwood, Halifax, and S. Eggleton, Huddersfield. S. and P. Scrivin, Elslack,
sold to 3,000gns for a shearling which went to T.E. Smith, Sheffield.
The champion single female and reserve overall champion was an aged ewe from Messrs Kempson, which made £250 to C. Mitchell, Holmfirth. E.A.M. Tattersall took the title for the pen of six females which sold for £260/head to P. Schofield, Rochdale.
Gimmer lambs topped at £600 for the first prize winner from D. Law, Whitworth.
7 ewes, £207.14; 62 gimmer shearlings, £195.73; 59 gimmer lambs, £122.24; 15 aged rams, £441; 70 shearling rams, £837.30; 20 ram lambs, £328.65. Auctioneers: Clitheroe Auction Mart.
TWO rams sold for 16,000gns apiece to lead the trade for South Country Cheviot rams at Lockerbie. First was the third prize winning shearling ram, a son of Castle Geronimo from W.C. Anderson and Son, Roberton, which sold to Messrs Common and Son, Lockerbie.
The other ram to make 16,000gns was a shearling by Eskdale Hit and Run that was consigned by Jim Robertson, Langholm. The buyer was Messrs Elliot, Jedburgh, who also paid 14,000gns for a two-shear ram by Skelfhill Supreme from I.H.G. Warden, Hawick.
Also making 14,000gns was a
two-shear son of Castle Godfather from W.J.C. and J. Weir, Hownam, which was knocked down to Messrs Paton, Thornhill.
Messrs Robertson and Son (Becks) and Co, Langholm, then paid 9,000gns for a shearling by Becks Tank from B. and M. Cockburn, Biggar, and 8,000gns for a two-shear son of Castle Highlander from R.H. Paton, Castle Crawford. Also selling for 8,000gns was a son of Castle Highlander from the same home.
AVERAGES 371 Cheviot rams, £1,575.07. Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
Overall and senior champion, Catriona Akeko of Balrownie, from the Carnegie family, Brechin, Angus, which sold for 13,000gns.
out of Cadrann of Eilean Mor, which was from Karen and Michael Macgregor, Acharacle, and also went to Coul Estate.
Despite being unable to take any animals home because of export restrictions, Falko Steinberg, Germany, paid 8,000gns for the reserve overall and yearling champion, Lora 2 of Leys, from Leys Castle Farm, Inverness, run by breed president Hugh Saggers.
The first prize two-year-old heifer, Tara Geal 9 of Tordarroch by Macrae Charles of Maol, from John Cooper, Tordarroch, Inverness, was another to
hit 7,000gns when selling to Andrew Polson, Glenfinnan, Findon.
Also at 7,000gns was the champion calf from Jon and Queenie Strickland, Cladich, Dalmally. Their Frangag Ruadh A-Rithis of Cladich, a daughter of Angus 2 of Sorne, sold to Blackmountain Estate, Perth.
AVERAGES
8 three-year-old heifers, £5,145 (five averaged £5,417); 14 two-year-olds, £3,712.50; 21 yearlings, £2,735; 30 calves, £2,201.50.
Auctioneers: United Auctions.
AT the show and sale of traditional Bluefaced Leicesters at Carlisle, the John Dykes Trophy for the best pen of lambs went to Frank Johnson’s Ashes flock, Bishop Auckland, which were all sired by Parton M31, the 2023 sire of the year.
The first lamb from the pen, which was out of a ewe by K4 Burndale, topped the sale at £12,000 and sold to Mike Anderson, Aberdeen.
The next from the pen, out of a Whinnyhall ewe, made £9,000 to David Henderson’s North Burndale flock, Allendale, with the pen of 10 averaging £3,115.
Derek Henderson, Wylam, sold a son of R1 North Burndale from his
Burndale flock for £7,500 to Messrs Ingram, Inverurie, for the Logie Durno flock.
Making £5,000 was a lamb by P1 Towdypotts from A. Peart and Sons, Woodcroft flock, Frosterley, which was knocked down to Messrs Thomason, Walney Island, for the Piel View flock.
Shearlings sold to £2,400 for a son of Lowes Fell P5 from K. Smith’s Low Arkland flock, Castle Douglas, which went to Messrs Jenkinson, Penrith.
AVERAGES 9 aged rams, £1,244.44; 93 shearling rams, £854.20; 197 ram lambs, £964.42; 59 females, £487.12.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
Visit the UK’s most comprehensive
THE recently crowned 2024 Hereford bull of the year, Rempstone 1 Alpha N688, set a new breed and society record of 18,000gns at the breed society sale at Shrewsbury.
Owned and bred by M. Ludgate, Thame, the March 2023-born bull is out of Danish imported dam Rosenkaer Miss World and by Dendor 1 Nairobi. After claiming the pre-sale show male and overall championship, it sold to W. Shaw for the Welburn herd, Pickering, North Yorkshire.
Making 5,000gns was the junior champion, the May 2023-born bull, Harveybros 1 Ace-of-Spades by Normanton 1 Laertes, from George and Sophie Harvey, Glasgow. The buyer was J.A. Pudge, Kings Pyon.
Kingsland 1 Armalight, a son of Gouldingpoll 1 Moonshine from Vaughans Farms, Herefordshire, made 4,100gns to J.C. Porter, Bridgwater.
The reserve senior male champion, Panmure 1 Admiral, a November 2022-born son of Romany 1 Thor FR T4, from J.M. Cant and Partners, Angus, sold for 4,000gns to S.C. and
G.L. Hartwright, Abingdon, for the Spartan herd.
Females topped at 5,200gns for the reserve section champion, Castle Mount 1 Tessa 421 from P. Massey, Lancashire. The January 2023 -born heifer by Kinglee 1 Vanguard Castle Mount 1 Tessa, sold to J.N. and M.J. Ellis, Shrewsbury.
The female champion, Dendor 1 Anna Mary 45 by Pepperstock 1 Trigger, from D.E., E.D. and A.L. Jones, Caersws, sold for 4,600gns to Paul and Vicky Moyle for the Porton House herd, Newport.
AVERAGES
Bulls, £4,365 (70% clearance); show heifers, £2,734.04; (68% clearance); sale only females, £1,755 (100% clearance). Auctioneers: Halls.
AT Penrith’s hill-bred show and sale champion honours went to the Wear family, Howe Green, with two-crop Swaledale ewes which sold for the top price of £600/head with the consignment of 126 averaging £219.90.
The buyer was E. Haughey, Northern Ireland, who also paid £520/head for the reserve champions from Messrs Lightfoot, Gillside.
Shearlings from the same home topped at £250/head, with the first prize pen selling to Messrs Richardson, Bewaldeth, with this run of 306 averaging £202.56.
Gimmer lambs
G.D. and J.P. Nelson, Hedwynds, sold 43 Swaledale gimmer lambs to
average £96.98, topping at £115 for the first prize pen.
Herdwicks topped at £210 for a pair of ewes from M. Potter, Ulcatrow.
Shearlings topped at £175 for a pen of 12 from C.G. and P.M. Pollock, Ivegill, bought by C.H. and S. Peart, Hexham.
Cheviots sold to £205 for four-crop ewes from R.W. and G. Dickinson, High Knipe, whose consignment of 71 averaged £170.
AVERAGES
Swaledale ewes, £146.46; Swaledale shearlings, £149.69; 52 Swaledale gimmer lambs, £71.53; Herdwick shearlings, £153.13; Herdwick ewes, £97.01.
Auctioneers: Penrith and District Farmers Mart.
Yorkshire.
THE dispersal of the Loford herd of Holsteins on behalf of Michael, Joanne and Rob Wade, Bideford, at Exeter topped at 4,600gns.
This was for Loford Legend Gloria, a VG87 two-year-old in its first lactation bred from four generations of Excellent dams. The buyer was David Jones, Wiltor herd, Monmouthshire, who also paid 4,000gns for a heifer by Stantons Chief from the Flo family.
Another VG two-year old, Loford Artist Lustre, made 4,100gns to Messrs Hussell, Shebbear.
The top priced served heifer at 3,700gns was Loford Alpha Divine, in-calf with a sexed heifer calf by M-B Luckylady Bullseye, which
went to Mark and Caroline Davies, Tynewydd.
Cow
Its dam, an EX93 cow from the Dellia family, sold for 3,500gns to M.L. Farming’s Crystalclear herd, Yorkshire.
Heifer calves sold to 2,100gns for a three-month-old Lambda daughter from the Fifi family, bought by G. Jenkins, Talybont.
AVERAGES: 83 cows and calved heifers, £2,509.88; 13 served heifers, £2,011.15; 14 maiden heifers, £1,248.75; 48 heifer calves, £1,050; 158 head, £1,913.59.
Auctioneers: Norton and Brooksbank with Kivells.
TRADE peaked at £8,000 at the Perth Ram Society show and sale of Blackface rams at Stirling, where 152 shearling rams averaged £1,064 and 38 ram lambs averaged £716.
The Hamilton family’s Woolford consignment, West Lothian, achieved the top three shearling prices of £8,000, £6,000 and £5,000. Sale leader at £8,000, was one by a home-bred ram which they used as a lamb before selling last year for £20,000. Out of a ewe by a £2,200 Auchnacloich, it sold to the Patersons’ Craigneich flock, Comrie.
Next, at £6,000, was a son of a
£4,000 Woolfords which went to Stephen Duncan, Glenlivet.
The Hamiltons’ £5,000 seller was by a 5,500gns Conway ram and sold to David Baillie, Carnwath.
Shearling son
At £4,800, Phil Stewart, Bomakelloch, Banffshire, sold a shearling son of a £600 Eastmill ram to Bert Grant, Glenisla.
Two lambs hit the £2,800 mark –one from Neil Kydd, Glenisla, which also went to Woolfords, and one from Scott Robertson, Avonside, which sold to Elizabeth Johnston, Glamis. Auctioneers: United Auctions.
(11.00 AM) FORESTGATE HERD DISPERSAL (260 HEAD)
Dispersal of the entire high yielding & high health FORESTGATE herd, the property of IE & TM Speed Ltd. The sale extends to 260 head and comprises 160 cows and heifers in milk, 60 in-calf heifers, 35 heifer calves & yearlings, plus a 18mo Pedigree Angus stock bull. Extremely youthful with 117 milking with their 1st, 2nd & 3rd lactations. Displaying fantastic conformation throughout these uniform, productive and powerful dairy cattle. Cubicle trained, milked 2x & fed on a TMR ration of Grass, Maize, Selco and Blend. Year round calving pattern with a favourable bias towards late summer and Autumn production, with 70 fresh since June and a further 50 to calve before February. Rolling herd average 10,880kg 4.21% 3.41% SCC 165 or 36.1kg daily. The youngstock are modern in type, strong and all by proven sires such as Ridecup, Adderley, Altakevlow, Avery, Afton & Chalet. Vaccinated for IBR, BVD Free (Tag & Test), Lepto (No Evidence), Johne’s monitored. Emphasis on health and production. This is a really genuine (only being sold through injury), high quality dispersal sale and is strongly recommended to all dairy farmers. Sale via MARTEYE. Catalogues available by request, call, text, email for copy.
Monday 28th October 11.30am Dairy Dispersal Sale on behalf of DJ A & L Sutcliffe, Throstle Nest Farm, Winmarleigh Comprising of 100 In milk / In calf & 40 Young Stock Robot Trained. Catalogue available online & by
As we gear up for this year’s Borderway Agri Expo, I can’t help but pause for a moment in awe of what our farmers do every single day. They produce world-class animals year-after-year and Borderway Agri Expo is the perfect vessel in which to showcase this. It brings together the farming community to meet and compete and reaffirm that what they do is remarkable.
At every sale we hold, we are reminded of how good our livestock farmers are and our recent autumn sales have shown the strength of their performance in the face of challenging climatic and economic conditions.
Despite this year’s awful weather, strong dairy sales over the last month have included a huge sale of 535-head in Borderway topping at £3,000 for milkers, £1,950 for in-calf heifers and £1,700 for maidens.
The annual Alston Moor sale saw 14,000 Mules go under the hammer, with an average of £154.97 up £24.32 on the year and the highly anticipated Kelso Ram sale also showed averages across all breeds up on 2023.
In our recent online pedigree sales, the renowned Irish Charolais herd Loughriscouse topped its production sale with Loughriscouse Tannisha making £7,100, and Cherryvalley Beef Shorthorns set a new Northern Irish breed record of £13,300 for Cherryvalley Thriving.
The strength and depth of our farmers’ commitment to their industry and their communities has been in evidence at our machinery sales this month and we hosted five successful sales in September.
The dispersal of vintage machinery and equipment for David F. Paton at Moffat saw a packed yard, followed by a highly successful dispersal sale on behalf of Messrs Bunting, Midtown, which raised £3,824.25 for ‘Sam’s Lab’, a charity established to support underprivileged children to ensure them the best start in life in memory of the Buntings’ late daughter Sam.
Looking ahead, we have a number of sales on the books including a collective sale of machinery and small tools at Lockerbie Mart on October 24, a dispersal sale of machinery on behalf of Messrs Stirling, Lockerbie, on October 25, and a dispersal sale of machinery on-farm on behalf of Messrs Horn, Penrith, on October 26 – more information is available on our website.
In a world where there is constant
pressure on farmers to remain sustainable, carbon neutral, socially active and still make time for their families, Borderway Agri Expo offers an outlet to come together, celebrate achievements and successes, share experience and concerns and discover how the latest products and services can help farmers do even better.
As with previous years, there is a packed schedule with commercial cattle and sheep classes, pedigree championships and a trade show of more than 120 stands showcasing the latest in innovation and new technology.
Borderway Agri Expo was set-up to celebrate Great British livestock and the farmers and families who breed, produce and show their worldclass sheep and cattle. That is exactly what we intend to do on November 1 at Borderway, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Laura Millar is strategy director at Harrison and Hetherington. Email laura.millar@borderway.com, or call 01228 406 255.
Tomorrow - Saturday 19th October at 10.30am Three Counties October Sheep Fair 4255 BREEDING SHEEP & GIMMER LAMBS 1453 Horned & Hill Draft Ewes & Gimmer Shearlings 1037 Mixed Ewes & Gimmer Shearlings 677 Horned/Hill & 1088 Mule/Masham Gimmer Lambs Inc. Annual Show of Swaledale & Cheviot Gimmer Lamb
Tuesday 22nd October
Fortnightly Sale of 9806 STORE LAMBS Inc. 1000 CTL x Lambs from I Woodward
Wednesday 23rd October
10.30am Fortnightly Sale of Dairy Cattle 11am 100-150 Rearing Calves 2.30pm 2500 Cast Ewes and 3000 Prime Lambs
Tuesday 29th October
Extra Sale of Store Lambs
Entries for catalogue close Friday 18th October
Tuesday 5th November
Monthly Sale of Store Cattle
Great Annual Sale of In Calf Suckler Cattle, Cows/Heifers with Calves at Foot, Bulling Heifers & Breeding Bulls Inc. Annual Consignment from T & JM Sedgwick, Gallaber Herd of 16 Ped. Lim Maiden Hfrs & 1 Stock Bull
We take a farmercentric approach to media. Our job is to help farmers run their farms more efficiently and make better purchasing decisions
BORDERWAY MART, CARLISLE
Tel: 01228 406200
Rougemont Show Stars Sale of PEDIGREE LIMOUSIN and BEEF SHORTHORN CATTLE
Friday 18th October – 4.30pm
Show and sale of 126 PEDIGREE LIMOUSIN BULLS
Friday 18th October - Show 10.00am
Saturday 19th October – Sale 10.30am
600 STORE CATTLE
Wednesday 23rd October -10.00am
YOUNG CALVES – 10.00am
WEANERS & YOUNG BULLS – 12.00noon
250 CONTINENTAL CROSS
SUCKLED CALVES – 10.00am
Mainly hill bred and spring born
Second sale of of 60 BLUEFACED LEICESTER RAMS
And 40 other breed rams
Monday 21st October – 12.30pm
Premier show and sale of ZWARTBLES INLAMB FEMALES
Friday 15th November
Entries close Friday 18th October
JACOB INLAMB FEMALES
Friday 15th November
Entries close Friday 18th October
KIRKBY STEPHEN
Tel: 01768 371385
Luke Fair sale of BREEDING SHEEP
Saturday 26th October 10.00am
SWALEDALE and other breed ewes and gimmer lambs
Second sale of MULE gimmer lambs, and RAMS of all breeds
To include dispersal sale of 25 Swaledale Ewes from K Sowerby, Brough
Prize show and sale of SUCKLED CALVES
Monday 28th October
Entries close 10am Monday 21st October
Great Annual sale of BEEF BREEDING CATTLE
Thursday 7th November
Entries close 10am Monday 28th October
LAZONBY MART
Tel: 01768 898313
BREEDING SHEEP
Wednesday 23rd October 10.30am
Third sale of MULE gimmer lambs
Second sale of BLUEFACED LEICESTER rams and females
also all classes of breeding females and rams including SWALEDALE
Tel: 01576 202332
NEWCASTLETON BLUEGREY SALE 916 CATTLE
Tuesday 22nd October
Show 9.30am Sale 10.30am
Comprising 622 Blue Grey incalf & bulling heifers and heifer calves 294 Store cattle
Collective sale of FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
(bidding on site and online)
Thursday 24th October – 10.30am
Entries Include Dispersals on behalf of Messrs Wilson, Archwood; Messrs Hamilton, Brieryhill; Sheep Equipment From Messrs Mair, Nether Garrel Plus Many Others
MART
Tel: 01833 640281
STORE & BREEDING SHEEP
Tuesday 29th October
Including second sale of Swaledale ewes and gimmer lambs, ewes and lambs of all breeds also rams
Entries close 10am Monday 21st October
Prize show and sale of STORE CATTLE & autumn born SUCKLED CALVES
Includes show and sale of Young Farmers Calf Summering Competition Cattle also Annual special sale of BREEDING CATTLE
Tuesday 29th October
Entries close 10am Monday 21st October
Prize show and sale of SUCKLED CALVES
Tuesday 5th November
Entries close 10am Monday 28th October
Visit www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk or
H W ANGUS PRODUCTION SALE
Saturday 19th October – 3.30pm At Netherton Farm, Blackford Perthshire PH4 1QU
Comprising 24 cows swerved and/or suckling, 6 maiden heifers and 2 bulls
ON FARM & ONLINE
JALEX SELECT HEIFER SALE
88 Gloverstown Road, BT41 3HY
Friday 25th October - 7.00pm
Comprising 10 cows & calves, 120 incalf heifers, 5 pedigree Limousin incalf heifers, 2 maiden heifers and 2 Limousin bulls
Bidding via MartEye
Dispersal sale of TRACTORS, MACHINERY & IMPLEMENTS
Friday 25th October – 10.30am
At Cowdens Farm, Breckinhill, Lockerbie DG11 1AE
On behalf of Messrs F&M Stirling Massey Ferguson 6465 Dyna6 (SJ09 HMK) 3200hrs, Massey Ferguson 4255 (S101 JSW), Ford 4610 (A351 HSM), Manitou Manireach MLT 628 turbo (P385 CHH), Ford 555 Digger, Yamaha Grizzly 450 Quad, Foster D750 Feeder Wagon, PrimeX 2000 Tanker, 3 Furrow Kverneland Plough, Teagle TomaHawk Bale Shredder, Pöttinger NovaDisc 305 Mower, Pöttinger Eurohit 61N Tedder, Pöttinger 460N Single Rota Rake, Marshall 8 Tonne Silage Trailer, Marshall 8Tonne Grain Trailer, IH Square Baler, plus usual array of equipment
Full list available on MartEye
Dispersal sale of TRACTORS, MACHINERY & IMPLEMENTS
Saturday 26th October – 10.30am At Robbery Farm, Hunsonby CA10 1PP Penrith on behalf of Messrs Horn
Sale includes: Tractors - Weidemann 3080T (3600); Vatra 163 (63 reg) 6280hrs; Vatra N141 (12 reg) 7500hrs; Vatra N111 + loader (11 reg) 4800hrs; Vatra N111 (09 reg) 7329hrs; MF 135; Implements: Kuhn Euromix feeder wagon; McHale C460 straw chopper; Abbey 2250R tanker; Bunning muck spreader (2013); Bailey silage trailer; 20ft Bailey bale trailer; 2 x Marshall 8 ton trailers & 1 5 ton trailer; KRM L2 plus fertiliser spinner (2017); Claas 240 round baler; Claas 3100L mower; Claas Volto 52 tedder; 4 f Reus plough; MF Cambridge rollers; Quantock post knocker; 12ft Ifor Williams trailer plus Livestock equipment and tools – full list on website – also Crop
Thursday 24th October at 10.00am
Annual Bellingham Show & Sale of 900 Spring Born Calves. Entries restricted to calves born after the 1st January 2024
Friday 25th October at 9.00am
Sale of 2000 Cast Sheep & 7000 Store Lambs
‘Tow Law’ Show & Sale of 550 Store Cattle & Suckled Calves
Entries invited by Monday 21st October
Monday 28th October at 10.00am
Prize Show & Sale of Cheviot, Blackface & Swaledale Rams
Sale of Texel, Suffolk, Bluefaced Leicester & Continental Rams
Special sale of breeding sheep of all classes
Entries invited by Monday 21st October
Wednesday 30th October at 10.00am
Prize Show & Sale of Breeding Bulls, Heifers & Cows with Calves
To include herd dispersal on behalf of J E Henderson & Sons, Burntongues
35 Spring Calvers with Calves born between April & June 2024 30 Autum Calvers with Calves born between August & October 2024
Entries invited by Wednesday 23rd October
Friday 1st November at 9.00am
Sale of 2000 Cast Ewes& 7000 Store Lambs
Sale of 750 Store Cattle & Suckled Calves
including Prize Show & Sale of Native Breed Cattle
Entries invited by Monday 28th October
O ce: 01325 464529 E: info@dfam.co.uk
The Darlington Farmers Auction Mart Humbleton Park I Darlington I DL2 2XX
Monday 21st October
Great Annual Show and Sale of
Great Annual Show and Sale of 400 Suckled Calves Show at 8.30am
Sale to Commence at 11am
Friday 25th October
Farm Dispersal sale on behalf of Mr Graham Simpson, Orchard Farm, Middleton in Teesdale
Full Details can be found on the website
Monday 28th October
Special Show and Sale of 400 Forward Cattle Show at 8.30am
Mark Dent Chairman 07711 198641
Sale to Commence at 11am
Paul Gentry Auctioneer/Director 07940 330907
Scott Ferrie Auctioneer/Director 07557 260653
EVERY MONDAY
Stephen Dodsworth Fieldsperson 07946 514154
Daniel Lynn Auctioneer 07887 653442
Cast Cattle/OTM, Store & Breeding Stock
Tracey Gilhespy Fieldsperson 07867 974688
EVERY THURSDAY
All Classes of Prime Cattle & Sheep
Scott Ferrie Auctioneer 07557 260653
Oliver Chapman Auctioneer 07887 653442
Megan Dowson Trainee Auctioneer 07471 823606
BARNARD CASTLE AUCTION MART
TUESDAY 29TH OCTOBER
Sale of OTM Cattle
Prize Show & Sale of Breeding Cattle Sale of Store Cattle
ANNUAL PRIZE SHOW & SALE OF SUCKLED CALVES Sale at 10am
PATELEY BRIDGE AUCTION MART
SATURDAY 26th OCTOBER
Sale of 170 cattle & 400 Store Lambs/ Feeding ewes Sale at 11am
ST JOHNS CHAPEL AUCTION MART
TOMORROW SATURDAY 19TH OCTOBER Sale of 2400
Store Lambs/Feeding Ewes Sale at 11am
BROUGHTON AUCTION MART
TUESDAY 22ND OCTOBER
PRIZE SHOW & SALE OF 120 SUCKLED CALVES & STORE CATTLE ***Please note Sale at 10.30am***
For catalogues for all the above sales visit our website
www.barnardcastleauctionmart.co.uk
Tel Libby Bell Auctioneer on 07818435728
Tracey Gilhespy Fieldsperson 07867 974688
Stephen Dodsworth Fieldsperson 07946 514154
John Wharton Auctioneer 07912 946549
WEDNESDAY 23RD OCTOBER
Dedicated Slaughter Market
350 Prime Cattle 520 Prime Sheep 175 Prime Pigs PLEASE NOTE Cattle & Sheep from The Bluetongue Restricted Zone MUST be booked in prior to sale
Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.30am
SATURDAY 26TH OCTOBER
Breeding & Store Cattle of all classes inc 5 Longhorn Cows In Calf to Stablizer, 8yr H Garside & Son
5 Cont X Forward Stores, 18mth, H Garside & son
Breeding & Store Sheep & Goats
Saturday 19th October
110 COBS, HORSES & PONIES at Upper Austby Farm, Langbar, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 0EQ
Incl. Mares and Foals, Horses and Ponies broken and unbroken. On instructions from BH Gray & Sons Sale 11.00am
Monday 21st October
SALE OF CALVES
Sale 10.30am Entries & Enquiries to Kyle PRIME, CAST & FEEDING CATTLE
Sale 11.30am (TB exempt section available) PRIME LAMBS - Sale 12.30pm followed by CAST EWES, RAMS & GOATS
Tuesday 22nd October
1500 GIMMER LAMBS
Sale of All Breeds of Gimmer Lambs Sale 10.30am Lingfield Ring followed by Annual Show & Sale of 142 DALESBRED RAMS & FEMALES On behalf of the
Entries close - Thursday 24th October TRACTORS; LOADERS; MACHINERY; TRAILER; GROUNDCARE; LIVESTOCK EQUIP. See website for further details
Breeding & Store Pigs Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.45am Entries Invited
Contact Office for Details
MART OFFICE: 01757 703347
*ALL SALES SUBJECT TO CURRENT BLUE TONGUE RESTRICTIONS*
RICHARD HAIGH: 07768 594535
www.selbymart.co.uk
Contact Office for Details
MART OFFICE: 01757 703347
RICHARD HAIGH 07768 594535
www.selbymart.co.uk
Entries/Enquiries, contact Ivor Lowe: on 07977 449126 or Peter Oven on 07973 982443 Follow on Facebook for up to date details on Special Entries FRIDAY25TH OCTOBER -10.30AM
3,524 Store Lambs, 62 Ewe Lambs, 121 Shearlings,
WOOD LANE FARM, GOTHAM, NOTTINGHAM, NG11 0LF
FRIDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2024 AT 10:30AM Massey Ferguson 6465 Dyna 6, Ford 4600 2WD, Ford 3000 Vineyard Model, Iseki 2160 4WD CompactMassey Ferguson 35, David Brown 885 2WD c/w Loader, Ferguson TE20 4 Cylinder Diesel New Holland LM 425A Telehandler, Manitou 2600 Manireach Telehandler Unused and Demo Vicon Grassland Equipment Vicon RV 5216 Round Baler (Registered At Vicon Sept 2020) Greenland RV156L Round Baler and more Van, Pickup, Machinery, Garden Mowers and Items Workshop Kit, Sundries and Effects
CROSSGATES FARM, CHESTERFIELD, S42 7DA
WEDNESDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2024 AT 10.30am
2-MF & Ford Tractors c/w Loader, Sanderson Teleporter
CATALOGUED
Saturday 19th October 9:30am Weekly CAST SHEEP & PRIME LAMBS 10am 72 BREEDING CATTLE, 8 FEEDING CATTLE, 17 YOUNG BULLS & 333 STORE CATTLE Sale to inc dispersal of the LING CHAPEL FARM suckler herd of Continental Cows with May born AA & Lim Calves at foot. BVD tested, all lie in Cubicles.
Thursday 24th October
10:30am REARING CALVES
10:30am PRIME CATTLE followed by CULL CATTLE
11:00am WEEKLY DAIRY CATTLE 12:30pm STIRKS to inc AUTUMN SHOW & SALE Entries to the office by Tue 22nd Oct
Saturday 26th October
SECOND OCTOBER BREEDING FAIR OF SHEEP
9.30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME LAMBS 10:00am BREEDING EWES, RAMS, STORE LAMBS Entries to the office by Tue 22nd Oct
Thursday 31st October
10:30am REARING CALVES
10:30am PRIME CATTLE inc MONTH END BEEF SHOW followed by CULL CATTLE 11:00am WEEKLY DAIRY CATTLE
Toyota Land Cruiser 5 Door, 2-Land Rover 90 Defenders Trailers, Implements and Machinery Non Vat Items, Hay and Straw Stone Troughs, Sundries and Effects
BLIDWORTH DALE FARM, RAVENSHEAD,NOTTS, NG15 9AL
FRIDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2024 AT 10.30am
Claas 510 Arion 4WD c/w Power Loader (18’), Case Puma 155 4WD Claas Scorpion 7035 (17’) Telehandler And Attachments Trailers And Bowsers, Land Rover 110 Range Of Pig Arks, Troughs, AI Service Barn
Saturday 2nd November
SECOND SHOW & SALE OF SUCKLED CALVES
9.30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME LAMBS 10:00am BREEDING & STORE CATLE all entries to the office by Tues 29th Oct
Shelters And Sow Barns, General Sundries, Bulk Leg Bins Workshop Items and Barley Straw Catalogues are available to download at www.bagshaws.com Email: olivia.fernihough@bagshaws.com
Tuesday 5th November LAST MACHINERY SALE OF 2024 Entries to the yard 8am-2pm Mon 4th November Last chance 24-25 Young Handlers buying is 30th Nov!
HAWES, NORTH YORKSHIRE, DL8 3NP
01969 667207 www.hawesmart.co.uk
Tuesday 22nd October 10am
2000 Prime Lambs
400 Cast Ewes & Rams
20 Calves at 10:30am
Wednesday 23rd & Thursday 24th October 10:30am
Great Annual Two-Day Show & Sale of Swaledale
Breeding Rams on behalf of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association (B District)
Sale of Registered Aged Rams, Ram Lambs & Shearlings
Friday 25th October 10:30am
Catalogued Sale of 3000 Store Lambs
Saturday 2nd November- “Gregg Day” 10am
New Sale fixture - End of season sale of all classes of Breeding Sheep, Gimmer Shearlings & Gimmer Lambs.
Second Show & Sale of Swaledale Breeding Rams
followed by sale of all classes of Breeding Rams
inc Terminal Sires & BFL’s
Catalogue closes Thursday 24th October 12 noon
Ian Atkinson 07957 256337
Kenton Foster 07711 469280
Including: Combine Harvester: John Deere T660i with 22ft Premium Flow header (12); Tractors: Fendt 724 Vario Profi Plus (19), Massey Ferguson 7718 Dyna-6 (18), Massey Ferguson 6475 Dynashift (04), Massey Ferguson 398 (96); Self-Propelled Sprayer: Househam Air-Ride 3000 24m (12); Excavator & Forklift: Bobcat 1.44t mini excavator, Caterpillar V40B industrial forklift; Trailers: Richard Larrington 16t Rootking (05), AS Marston Lynx 14t grain (97), Barry Ayton 10t grain (85), Barry Ayton 8t high tip (83), flat bed fertiliser trailer with HIAB; Cultivation Equipment & Implements: Cousins V-Form 3m (14), Lemken Europal 8 5f rev plough (04), Kuhn HR5004DR 5m power harrow (19), Cousins Packa-Rolla 4.2m, Armer Salmon Proparator Comdor 4m (00), Vaderstad Carrier CR500 (10), Lely 4m combi drill, Vaderstad Rapid A400S drill (05), Kuhn Axis 20.2MEMC 24m fertiliser spreader (18), Cousins Contour 12.8m Cambridge rolls (96); Misc Equipment: Qty workshop equipment and spares etc.
Published October 25, 2024
Advertising opportunities now available in our
Get your brand seen by decision makers, influencers, farm owners and managers!
Display deadline: 5pm, Tuesday 11th October Classified deadline: 11am, Wednesday 23rd October
Speak to Katie O’Hagan today and start converting our readers to your customers. 01772 799454 | fgclassified@farmersguardian.com
An assistant is required to join an experienced poultry team on a state-of-the-art commercial poultry farm. The successful candidate will have excellent attention to detail and an ambition to learn. The ideal candidate will be physically fit, self-motivated, enthusiastic and dedicated.
The candidate will have good communication skills, a keen eye for detail and be able to work methodically and thoroughly in order to complete tasks to a high standard. An attractive financial package, with pension, bonus scheme and other benefits is offered. Housing can be provided if required.
Full-time, up to 48 hours per week. The working week is Monday – Sunday and does include some night on-calls with shift patterns arranged between team members. To apply please email Philippa Fitzgerald at pf@courteenhall.co.uk Brand
We currently have a wide range of positions available nationwide to include:-
• Assistant Herdsperson, Dorset, 350 cows
• Head Herdsperson, Somerset, 220 cows
• TMR Feeding/Herdsperson’s Role, Hertfordshire, 350 cows Relief Herdspersons Nationwide LKL provides the perfect solution for finding the very best herd carers and managers. Visit our website for a full list of our current vacancies.
Web: www.lklservices.co.uk Tel: 01722 323546
Breed Secretary (Full time, permanent role)
Working Hours: Monday – Friday however with the need for occasional weekend and evening work linked to travel and attending shows/sales and events.
About the Role As Breed Secretary you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the Society and providing leadership to our staff. This role requires a combination of administrative excellence and industry knowledge. The Breed Secretary will work closely with the Society’s council, breeders and various stakeholders to promote the Charolais breed.
We are looking for a dynamic and proactive individual with a strong background in the agricultural sector and a clear understanding of cattle breeding. The ideal candidate will be personable and will have excellent organisational skills and a commitment to the long-term success of the British Charolais Cattle Society.
Competitive package reflecting on the responsibilities of the role
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence Send your CV and covering letter to RecruitmentBCCS@outlook.com
Outline of responsibilities:
• The principal role of the Workshop Fitter/Engineer is to repair, service and inspect
• Plant and equipment prior to delivery and on return from hire. This includes equipment from manufacturers such as Takeuchi, JCB, Komatsu, Doosan, John Deere, New Holland, Terex, Hamm, Ammann, and Indeco.
Your Responsibilities:
• Repair & locate faults with equipment in-line with manufacturer recommendations and in a timely fashion to ensure minimum downtime.
• Service equipment in-line with manufacturers’ recommendations.
• Carry our PUWER & LOLER inspections for all equipment.
• Follow the procedures and guidelines to ensure compliance with our ISO9001 quality management system.
Professional experience we would like you to demonstrate:
Previous experience in a similar role.
Dealership training (manufacturers listed above)
Understanding of engines, hydraulic systems and electrical systems.
Some of the skills you will have:
A professionally recognized qualification in plant maintenance and repair (NVQ level 3 or equivalent Knowledge of Microsoft products (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word)
Excellent communication & organizational skills
A full UK driving license
What’s in it for you?
We offer competitive salaries in the industry and treat our staff fairly and as individual people - we really look after you. We don’t hold anyone back and there are many examples of employee promotions within the business and a lot of our employees have been with us for many years. We like to train and develop our staff to get the best from them and in return for your hard work and commitment, we provide a safe, fun, relaxed and flexible work environment for you to succeed.
Interested in hearing more and coming to join the family?
If so, please submit your CV today. Email: richard.walsh@bphsp.com
Orders for Insertion of advertisements in Farmers Guardian are accepted subject to the following conditions:
The Social Network for Country Loving People
Do you enjoy the countryside?
Do you like to socialise and meet new people?
If you are looking for new friends in a relaxed and informal environment, then try Country Link – the social network for the countryside. Open to anyone, and with a national network of local groups, Country Link offers a variety of pre-arranged meetings, events, and activities to suit all tastes, encouraging friendship but is not a dating agency.
Take a look on our website, call 07932 537183, or email contact@country-link.co.uk for more information and to find out what is happening in your area.
www.country-link.co.uk
DATE SUCCESS-
FULLY Join
‘Friends1st’ and you’ll find we’re completely different to what you’ve experienced before from dating apps & websites. We find, verify and connect you with other Eligible Christians. A refreshingly different approach. Successful for farmers and people living rurally. Call us today to find out more: 0121 405 0941 or visit www.friends1st.co.uk/ christian-farmers-dating to read all our success stories
J.P WHITTER (WATER WELL ENGINEERS) LTD
• BOREHOLE DRILLING FOR DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES
• WORK CARRIED OUT TO A VERY HIGH STANDARD
• WATER SYSTEMS INSTALLED
• BOREHOLE PUMPING INSTALLATIONS
• 24HR BREAKDOWN SERVICE
• FREE QUOTATIONS AND SITE VISITS THE POTTERIES GARAGE SMALLBROOK LANE, LEIGH, WIGAN, LANCS, WN7 5PZ. TEL: 01942 871900. FAX: 01942 896843. Out of office: 01942 893660 Visit our Website www.waterwellengineers.co.uk Email: sally@waterwellengineers.co.uk
•
•
•
On 6th October 2024 peacefully in Freckleton Lodge and late of Freshfield Farm Freckleton, John aged 94 years.
The beloved husband of the late Irene, loving dad of Helen (deceased) Martin, Daniel (deceased) and James, also a devoted grandad and great grandad.
Funeral service at Freckleton Methodist Church on Wednesday 23rd October at 1.30pm followed by private committal.
All further enquiries please to N Gillett & Son ‘Church View’ Mowbreck Lane Wesham PR4 3HA Tel: 01772 686597
In large quantities. Good cash price paid on collection. Ring for details 07977 248198
Within a 60-mile radius of Preston, Lancashire
Willing to cut within a 20 mile radius
BLUE Diamond 32/32 fast exit, 2010 MM25s transponders etc 01260 226261 (T)
HEAVY DUTY replacement troughs, for any parlour. 01260 226261 (T)
1. Advertisement copy shall be legal, decent, honest and truthful, and shall comply with the British Code of Advertising Practise and all other codes under the general supervision of the Advertising Standards Authority: and shall comply with the requirements of current legislation.
2. While every endeavour will be made to meet the wishes of advertisers, the publisher does not guarantee insertion of any particular advertisement.
3. In the event of any error, misprint or omission in the printing of an advertisement or part of an advertisement the publisher will either reinsert the advertisement or relevant part of the advertisement as the case may be, or make a reasonable adjustment to the cost. No reinsertion, or adjustment will be made where the error, misprint or omission does not materially detract from the advertisement. In no circumstances shall the total liability of the publisher for any error, misprint or omission exceed
a) The amount of a full refund of any price paid to the publisher for the advertisement in connection with which liability arose. OR
b) The cost of a further corrective advertisement of a type and standard reasonably comparable to that in connection with which liability arose.
4. The publisher reserves the right to withdraw, amend or alter any advertisement it considers necessary.
5. Cancellations or advertisements are accepted providing they comply with the cancellation deadlines which are published at regular intervals.
6. Advertisement orders are issued by an advertising agency as a principal and must be on the agencies official form (when copy insutructions not constituting an official order are issued they must be clearly marked at the head “Copy Instructions – not an order”.
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9. Only standard abbreviations are permitted by the publisher. List available on request.
10. Classified display advertisements must be at least 3cms in depth for every column wide, and the minimum size of any advertisement is 2 lines.
11. Every endeavour will be made in order to forward replies to box numbers to the advertisers, as soon as possible after receipt by the publisher, but the publisher accepts no liability in respect of any loss, or damage alleged to have arisen through delay in forwarding or omitting to forward such replies, however caused. Circulars and the like should not be distributed through publisher’s box number facility.
12. The placing of an order for the insertion of an advertisement, is an acceptance of these conditions and any other conditions stated on any type of order form by an agency or advertisers are not applicable if they conflict with any of the above.
New Roka Silos and Tanks available from 500 Ltrs to 50,000 Ltrs!
20,000 Ltr Roka Silo
16,000 Ltr Delaval
16,000 Ltr Fabdec (holds 17,000)
14,000 Ltr Fabdec
12,000 Ltr Roka DX
12,000 Ltr Fullwood Packo Instant Cooling
10,000 Ltr Fabdec
9,000 Ltr Japy / GEA
8,000 Ltr Roka Silo
8,000 Ltr Roka
7,500 Ltr Surge
7,100 Ltr Delaval
6,750 Ltr Delaval (holds 7,000 Ltrs)
6,000 Ltr Mueller
6,000 Ltr Fabdec
5,000 Ltr Packo
5,000 Ltr Mueller Model “O”, 5,000 Ltr Roka
4,250 Ltr Japy / GEA
2 x Refurbished 1T Ice Builder suitable for 10/12,000 Ltrs every other day Refurbished 1.2T Ice Builder suitable for 14/15,000 Ltrs every other day CUSTOM BUILT HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEMS, TAILORED TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS
Smaller bulk tanks available, emergency open & enclosed, loan tanks available to rent, main dealer for new Ro-ka milk cooling systems. For further details please call S.W Refrigeration specialising in “On Farm cooling Equipment” 01392 210344 or Paul on 07974 140949
L.Pierce Wool
Scotland & North England - Grace Dobson- 07743 628405 or 07754 702187 or Southern England and South Wales- John Wood 07980 655637
Weather and Vermin proof. Central Bagging Chute, suitable for snacker.
6 tonne- £2,400+vat
4 tonne- £1,900+vat
GROOVING Neil O’Donnell -Tel: 01900 817009 or 07759 194600 Nationwide (T)
Calf Hutches. Complete with fencing. A large selection of all animal and calf feeding equipment and all other associated products also available. Massive saving on list price Livestock Supplies Ltd. Ashley: 07831 887531 Office: 01829 260328 www.livestocksupplies.co.uk
We take a farmer-centric approach to media. Our job is to help farmers run their farms more efficiently and make better purchasing decisions • 10 tonne - £4,000+ vat
John – 07885 739120
Top Quality Beltex X Texel, Beltex X Charollais & Texel Shearling Rams
A weekly selection of freshly calved & in-calf dairy cattle sourced from the UK. All guaranteed and delivered anywhere in the UK Finance can be arranged. Livestock Supplies Ltd Ashley: 07831 887531, Office: 01829 260328, Will: 07769 974476
Excellent skins, shape, style and Power
One of the largest selection of continental rams in the UK to choose from.
Please contact Paul Slater on 07522 110683
www.whiteleyheyflock.co.uk
Whiteley Hey Flock - Paul Slater
All Society Registered
10 Lleyn Rams £300 - £500
40 Lleyn Ewes £250
50 Lleyn Ewe Lambs £160 100 Store Ram Lambs £80
www.livestocksupplies.co.uk
17months old, reared on grass over winter at 1000ft, quiet temperament.
Suitable for pedigree herd, dairy and suckler heifers. IBR, Lepto and BVD vaccinated. Fertility test before sale. Ready to work
Telephone: 07871 244149
Macclesfield Forest, Cheshire (P)
Available in suitable batches delivered to most parts of the country
Excellent conformation. Extremely well-muscled. All home bred.
Tel: 01298 872500 or Mobile: 07570 272376 Derbys (P)
Excellent conformation, tight skins, ready for work. Heptavac P. Naturally Reared, no corn
Contact Mr Brocklehurst on 07764 196462 or 01260 223338
Ken Foster Mobile: 07474 421594 Barby, Warwickshire LLEYN & DUTCH SPOTTED
All Society Registered
6 Dutch Spotted Rams
£250 - £400
40 Dutch Spotted Ewe Lambs £250 - £350
6 Lleyn Shearling Rams £300 - £400
50 Lleyn Ewe Lambs £160
Graham Bell Mobile: 07738 400101 Ripon, North Yorkshire
BIDLEA HERD
Holstein Freisian Bulls For Sale
Black & White and some Red & White
Plenty to choose from - first come first served!
Tel: Ray Brown 01477 532220 or 07885 652718 Cheshire (T)
Continental Bull and Heifer calves 3-5 weeks old available now. Quality store cattle sourced directly from Welsh/Shropshire Borders Farms, delivered to your farm. Delivery Nationwide.
Livestock Supplies Ltd
Ashley: 07831 887531 Office: 01829 260328
www.livestocksupplies.co.uk
PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL BULL
18 Months old
Well grown and ready for work.
Good temperament and from an Elite Health status herd.
TB4 area.
Have a great selection of 2023 born 12-16 month old pedigree bulls for sale. SAC Hi-Health Member Tested free of Johnes, BVD, IBR, Lepto, TB 4 Semen Tested, Performance recorded Nationwide Delivery Available Kurt – 07715 448366 Richard - 07816 173689 Lancs (P)
Tel:
Red and Black Limousin stock bulls Tel Edward: 07770 457453 N. Yorkshire (P)
17-22 months. Some Semen tested. TB4 area. Younger bulls also available
Ampertaine & Fenomen bloodlines
Easy calving strain, good confirmation, nice temperaments. Tel: 07968 505014
Derbyshire (P)
Ready to work, delivered direct to your farm, very quiet, easy calving. Females available. Health monitored, grass fed, full pedigree with each animal, Red tractor. Semen Available.
• Fertility Tested
• SAC Premium Health Scheme
• From Top Bloodlines
•Closed herd
Telephone: 077157 64351
Has a selection of working bulls and bulling heifers for sale From a closed herd. Easy Calving.
Telephone: 01978 780368 or 07986 113221 Wrexham (P)
By Joint Bull of the year 2023 Coley 1 Vincent 17mth old. TB4 area, Accredited BVD, Lepto, IBR & Johne’s
Telephone Emma: 07884 363285 South Yorkshire (P)
Little used, excellent condition, washed ready for fitting. 64.5m Price £6500
Tel: 07966 932592
SPRINGER SPANIEL PUPPIES
Male, gun dog parents. Ready mid November Tel: 01995 672749 Lancs (p)
Derbys (P) SHEEP DOG PUPS
Due to time waster 1 sheep dog bitch. Ready to go. Top bloodlines.
Tel: 07890 650996 Mid Wales (P)
3 months old, grandchildren of Clwyd Bob by D Jenkins. Interested in cattle and sheep, can be registered. Tel: 07740 355017 Mid Wales (p)
OR (01625) 522249 Tomlinson Bros
Top Quality Hay & Straw. All types of big bales delivered. 01829 782378 or 07710 933681
Inc. Rolled Barley, Maize Gluten, Hi Pro Soya, Malt Pellets, Sugarbeet Pellets, Oatfeed Pellets & Syrup Suitable for Cattle and Sheep
Premium Starter 18% Bags 750KG £240 delivered
Premium Grower 16% Bags 750KG £230 delivered Premium Finisher 14% Bags 750KG £225 delivered
Bespoke Rations available to your requirements
LIQUID FEEDS to encourage forage intake. Molasses and molasses blends plus additional minerals if required. J E Morten: 01663 734621 High Peak, Derbyshire (T)
More information: Ashley J Latham • Livestock Supplies Ltd Office: 01829 260 328 • Ashley: 07831 887 531 • Will: 07769 974 476 • Email: ashley@livestocksupplies.co.uk BEESTON GATE FARM, BEESTON, NR. TARPORLEY, CHESHIRE CW6 9NN www.livestocksupplies.co.uk
More information: Ashley J Latham • Livestock Supplies Ltd Office: 01829 260 328 • Ashley: 07831 887 531 • Will: 07769 974 476 • Email: ashley@livestocksupplies.co.uk BEESTON GATE FARM, BEESTON, NR. TARPORLEY, CHESHIRE CW6 9NN www.livestocksupplies.co.uk
Richard Tomlinson
Top quality hay and straw. All types of big bales and conventional bales. All areas considered. Tel: 07933 783232 Very competitive prices
quality meadow hay in 90x120x244 bales. Transport can be arranged. Please email juliankirk@hotmail. com or Tel: 07816 909870 (p)
Competitive Prices, Direct from the grower
or Delivered in all sizes of loads Tel: 07843 012225 Lancs
STANDING MAIZE 30 acres of Maize (P7179) at Ashley nr Altrincham for sale by auction on Monday 21st October 12.30pm at Goostrey Produce auction. Details - info@ashleywaller. co.uk
DAIRY, BEEF Nuts & Blends. Fodder beet, Potatoes, Carrots and Maize silage now available Tel: 07837 485652 Cheshire (T)
FRESH apple pomace 30dm and Clean fodder beet. Midland and Borders
CLEANED / WASHED Fodder Beet. All delivered I D Bailey & Son - Tel: 07968 362227 Lancs (T)
www.claddingandconstruction.com
CRASH BARRIERS telegraph poles, Sleepers, Astroturf for Cow Tracks etc, Security fencing. Henmans Tel07768 533741 Nationwide Delivery (T)
Buy your farms fibre cement roofing sheets direct from BRIARWOOD!
We have been trusted by farmers over Great Britain for generations because of our high-quality fibre cement sheets.
All sheets and fittings are available in 7 di erent colours and can be delivered direct to your farm within 5 working days (with o oad included).
Although every advertisement is carefully checked,occasionally mistakes do
therefore ask advertisers to assist by checking their advertisements carefully and advise us immediately should an error occur. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than ONE
insertion and that no re-publication will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement.
While every endeavour will be made to meet the wishes of the advertisers, the publisher does not guarantee insertion of any particular advert.
Be
Jack Sharpe offers some expert advice
Prescriptive rights arise when someone uses land or property they do not own for a long period, often without explicit permission from the owner.
The concept of prescription allows someone to acquire legal rights over another’s land through continuous and open use, assuming there is no formal objection or interruption from the landowner.
These rights can include: rights of way, access to light, the use of drains or other utilities and the right of support from a structure. Prescriptive rights typically develop over a period of 20 years, after which the user may acquire the right to continue using the property or land in the same manner indefinitely.
These rights can have serious implications for landowners, as they may lose control over parts of their property if left unchecked.
Farmers, who often manage large parcels of land, are particularly vulnerable to prescriptive rights for several reasons:
1 Neighbours may extend their use of land over time, such as driving across fields, grazing animals, or using pathways without permission. These activities, if unchallenged, can become legally protected prescriptive rights.
2 A neighbour could attach a structure, such as a carport or shed, to a building on a farmer’s land. Over time, this could establish a prescriptive right to maintain the structure in place, complicating property sales or redevelopment plans.
3 Farmers may find that private roads running through their land are being used by the public or neighbours for decades, establishing legal rights of access.
4
Some farmers have discovered that neighbours have gained rights to the installation of water and drainage pipes, or even electricity cables through their land as a result of long-term uninterrupted use.
Farmers and landowners can take proactive steps to manage the risk
of prescriptive rights developing on their land:
1 Regular inspections of land boundaries and buildings are essential to catch any unauthorised use before it becomes established. Watch for things such as informal paths, unapproved access points or unauthorised structures.
2 If someone begins using your land without permission, it is important to challenge the use immediately. Send a letter stating that you do not grant permission for the use or take legal action if necessary.
3 If you are happy with a neighbour using part of your land, such as allowing access for a vehicle or livestock, consider granting a formal licence or temporary permission. This will prevent the use from becoming a permanent right.
4 Place signs on pathways or access routes stating that they are being used with permission and that no right of way is being granted. This can help protect against future claims of prescriptive rights.
5 If a neighbour attaches a structure to your building, you could agree to a legal document that allows them temporary use but does not grant permanent rights.
6 Keep detailed records of any interactions with neighbours regarding land use, permissions granted or challenges made. This can serve as evidence if a legal dispute arises.
Jack Sharpe is director at Fazakerley Sharpe Land Agents. Call 07787 576 258, or email jack@fazakerleysharpe.co.uk
WINTER GRAZING
Fenced Winter Grazing/Fodder Crops required for 150-200 Mule/ Cheviot ewe lambs. 3 hours of mid Wales Tel David: 07968 362508 (P)
GRAZING WANTED
Preferably fenced for sheep, unfenced considered with water until the end of March. Any area considered Tel 07779 398957 or 01433 620494 (P)
Sites of 1- 1000 acres required for residential development.
If you think that your land has potential for development, or you have been approached by a developer, then you will need expert advice that is not available at traditional sources.
Michael Rutherford is a specialist agent acting and negotiating for landowners. Contact me for a confidential and expert consultation at no cost. All areas of the UK covered.
Farmers Guardian, Fginsight.com and fgbuyandsell.com (hereinafter referred to as ‘Farmers Guardian) may contain advertisements, links to other Internet websites or online and mobile services provided by independent third parties, including websites and telephone contacts of our advertisers and sponsors (what we call “Third Party Sites”), either directly or indirectly.
It is your decision whether you purchase or use any third party products or services made available on or via Third Party Sites and you should read below carefully. Our Privacy Policy does not apply to Third Party Sites. In no circumstances do we accept responsibility for your use of Third Party Sites or in respect of any Third Party products. By Third Party Sites we mean websites, online or mobile services provided by third parties, including websites of advertisers and sponsors that may appear in Farmers Guardian. By Third Party Products we mean products or services provided by third parties.
Farmers Guardian contains advertising and sponsorship. Advertisers and sponsors are responsible for ensuring that material submitted for inclusion on Farmers Guardian complies with international and national law. Farmers Guardian (nor its websites) is not responsible for any error or inaccuracy in advertising or sponsorship material.
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The above disclaimers apply equally to your use of Farmers Guardian, Fginsight.com and fgbuyandsell.com without limiting the above; Farmers Guardian and its websites are not liable for matters beyond its reasonable control. Farmers Guardian does not control third party communications networks (including your internet service provider), the internet, acts of god or the acts of third parties.
Farmers Guardian liability will not be limited in the case of death or personal injury directly caused by Farmers Guardian negligence in those countries where it is unlawful for Farmers Guardian to seek to exclude such liability.
Any individual, who is in doubt about entering into a loan agreement, should seek professional advice or consult an authorised person who can assist in relation to entering into a credit agreement. Before acting on any information you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to these matters, any relevant offer document and in particular, you should seek independent financial advice.
All loans, loan participations and financial products or instrument transactions involve risks, which include (among others) the risk of adverse or unanticipated market, financial or political developments and, in international transactions, currency risk. Lending against non-traditional physical collateral exposes investors to specific risks such as the potential for fraud, theft, damage and illiquidity.
All types of Augers for all machinery manufactured and repaired
We are specialists in the supply and repair of augers for all models of tub feeders, grain dryers and header augers for combine harvesters. We also provide a cost-effective repair service for all makes of diet-feeders.
Contact the Roto Spiral team today and see what we
• 01244 520005 (Office) • 07761 292070 (Mobile)
Roto Spiral (UK) Limited - Unit 33, Engineer Park, Sandycroft, Deeside, CH5 2QB
Email: info@rotospiral.co.uk
Replacement
Direct
BREAKING MASSEY 699, 575, 3070, 3080, 3095, 2645, 6140, 3680 & 8120
Also tractors wanted for breaking Tel: 07710 153603 W.Yorks masseyfergusontractorbreakers.co.uk
CLAAS John Deere, and other makes, combine harvester 2nd hand and new spares. www.jmtcombinehire.co.uk. Tel: JMT Engineering 01926 614345 (T) SHEEP SNACKERS
Ground drive sheep feeders, all types of atv trailers single and tandem axle, Delivery anywhere Rob Astley trailers ltd Tel 01938 810393 (T)
• Massey Ferguson MF399 Tractor & Loader
• Massey Ferguson 362 Tractor
• Massey Ferguson 2210 Tractor & Loader
• JCB 1135 Fastrac
• Yanmar CT65 Crawler Tractor
• Mitsubishi MKM-750 Crawler Tractor
• Yanmar C50R-3 Tracked Dumper
• Hitachi EG70R Rotary Tracked Dumper
• Hitachi EG110R Rotary Tracked Dumper
• Case CX210B Excavator Piped/Rotate
• JCB 718 Articulated Dump Truck
2022 John Deere 6215R
AutoPower 50kph, 3377 hours, £132,500 +VAT
2023 JCB Fastrac ICON 4220 753 hours, Vario, ProLine Spec, Fast Start, £POA
2021 John Deere 6175R 5398 hours.
Auto Powr 50kph, £79,500 +VAT
2022 John Deere 6R 140 1780 hours, Auto Quad 50kph, Full Suspension, £88,750 +VAT
2023 John Deere 6R 155
AutoQuad 50kph, 302 hours.
£109,000 +VAT
2023 John Deere 8R.280 E16 PowerShift, 184 hours, 4 ESCV, AutoTrac Ready, £212,500 +VAT
2023 John Deere 6R 155
CommandPro 50kph, 2727 hours, £107,750 +VAT
2013 John Deere 4720
ONLY 152 hours, £31,500 +VAT
2022 John Deere 6130R
AutoQuad 50kph,
ONLY 354 hours, £85,000 +VAT
2020 John Deere 6155R
CommandPro 50kph, F/Links + PTO, AutoTrac Ready, £105,000 +VAT
2021 John Deere 6140M 1004 hours,
AutoQuad 40kph, Loader Preparation, £76,500 +VAT
2019 John Deere 6145R
AutoQuad 50kph, F/Links + PTO, AutoTrac Ready, £69,740 +VAT
Edited by Toby Whatley
– 07583 054 831 – toby.whatley@agriconnect.com
For more machinery content, go to farmersguardian.com/machinery-news-hub
Indispensable on many farms for cutting and handling clamp silage, the shear grab is a daily necessity which may not get the service attention it needs. Toby Whatley reports.
For many livestock farms, the shear grab is one attachment that spends more time fitted to the farm handler than any other during winter, and provides for the daily needs of stock feeding and silage handling.
Gloucestershire-based attachment manufacturer Albutt produces 600800 units a year, with capacities from 0.7cu.m to 2.5cu.m and designs suited to skidsteer, tractor loaders, telehandlers and loading shovels.
Operations director Tom Worth-
VIRTUALLYallmanufacturersof sheargrabswillusehardened, specificgroundknifesectionsand bladestogeneratetheclearcut required.Withnormaluse,theblades willweargradually,butsharpening mustbecarriedoutcorrectly.
MrWorthingtonsays:“Sincethe grabiscuttingthroughdenseand heavymaterial,itusessurprisingly largehydrauliccylinderstoexert thecuttingforceneeded.Iftheblade isbluntordamaged,orthepinsare corroded,thisforceistransferred intotheframeofthegrab,notthe clampface.
“Sharpeningthebladesusing anangle-grinderheatsthecutting edgeandremovesthetemperofthe hardenedsteel.Thisresultsinblades
ington advises on some key points for keeping the attachment working and cutting correctly.
He says: “We produce shear grabs across a wide range of sizes, and different options to suit specific farm needs, but the fundamentals of all machines are the same.
“All grabs must be sharpened correctly and properly lubricated and maintained to prevent any damage or wear to the attachment frame.”
whicharesofterandmoreprone towear.Sharpeningshouldbe carriedoutregularlyusingahand fileontheoutsidechamferededge ofthebladesonly.”
Foruserswithheavilyworn blades,replacementscanbefitted throughcuttingthewornsections fromthefrontgrabandwelding inreplacements.
“Westitch-weldtheblades insectionssoitispossibletocut themoutandreplacethem.This isamorecomplexprocessthan abolteddesign,butwehavefound thatanyboltedassemblyusedin thepositionofthecuttingblade becomessocorrodedthatthey becomeimpossibletoremove whenreplacementsarerequired.”
All grabs must be sharpened correctly and properly lubricated and maintained to prevent any damage or wear to the attachment frame
TOM WORTHINGTON
ACROSSseveralmanufacturers, grabsareofferedwithhardened weldedtines,orKverneland-style steeltinesforwhentheattachmentis usedtopickupbalesorwhenloading amixer.
MrWorthingtonsays:“Likethe cuttingblades,thetineswillwear asthemachineisused,particularly ifusersarerunningtheattachment ontheclampfloortopickupmaterial.
“Thetinelengthisimportantto ensurethecutiscorrectandeach blockiscleanlyremovedfromthe clamp.Tooshort,andexcessmaterial
isrippedaway,leavinganuntidy andmessyclampface.
“Ifthetineshavewornback morethan50mm,thenreplacement tipscanbeweldedontoreplace themissingmaterialandreturnthe tinestothecorrectlength.These aresuppliedtofittotheunderside ofthetineandweldedeitherside.
“MachineswithKverneland-style tineswhichhavebeenwornorbent canbeunboltedandreplacedwith new.Itisimportanttotightenany tineswhichareloosetoprevent anyfurtherdamage.”
THE combination of the hydraulic cylinders and front grab pivots can result in up to nine individual pivots on a machine which require greasing and inspecting for wear.
If pins are worn or seized, the grab can cut off centre, which can introduce large twisting forces to the implement and have a significant impact on and permanently bend the frame.
Mr Worthington says: “The moving parts of the machine must be kept lubricated to provide the maximum cutting performance. All of our pivots are greased and use a helical cut to force the grease across the pins.
“Replacement of any worn pins and bushes prevents minor issues from having a more serious impact on the overall grab.”
Depending on the machine size, two or three hydraulic cylinders are used to power the cutting blade.
“Any damage from misuse or corrosion due to the long-term impact of acidic silage on the cylinders and rods can cause the pistonstoleak,”saysMrWorthington.
“This can be solved by resealing or replacing the entire piston, which improves the cutting performance and prevents any oil contamination into the feed.”
A batch-fed biomass boiler has been saving money and delivering heat for the farm properties and grain store at Blenheim Farm in Oxfordshire for the past 12 years. Geoff Ashcroft went to find out more about how straw-fired installation works.
A biomass boiler from Farm 2000 delivers low-cost heating for Blenheim Farm’s five properties, its farm office and grain store.
When the Taylor family installed a biomass boiler in 2012, it was off the back of a smaller unit that was bought initially to run a five-bedroom farmhouse.
Such was the early success of a direct-heat boiler burning small bales of straw for the five-bedroom farmhouse that the decision was made to upscale the heat source with an all-new installation based on a BB154/3R boiler.
By making the most of the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive, the farm was able to provide cost-effective heating to replace oil-fired boilers across its remaining four properties and the farm office.
In addition, the capacity of the installation has enabled hot water to be pumped into the grain store at harvest to provide a heat source for underfloor drying.
“Having the biomass boiler supply heat for the grain store has eliminated a huge amount of cost when drying grain,” explains Henry Taylor from the 220-hectare Blenheim Farm, in Shutford, near Banbury, Oxfordshire.
“It does seem that with harvests getting trickier every year, the ability to dry grain as cheaply as possible is becoming a huge benefit.
“We do have a mobile batch dryer, which lets us take out a chunk of moisture when grain is really wet and use the biomass boiler to take out the rest when the crop is in-store,” he adds.
“With anything sub-20%, heat from the biomass boiler works very well and it costs very little to run.”
Working with Farm 2000, the Taylors’ biomass installation is the type that uses a big bale boiler fed with bales.
The farm’s preference is to use straw from spring linseed, but winter linseed crops are more prevalent and the next best thing.
“We have found that linseed offers much more heat than wheat or barley straw and it is often considered a low-value product from local growers looking for a way to deal with the straw,” Mr Taylor says.
“It is so abrasive that nobody likes chopping it, so we buy straw in the swath, bale it and then fetch
it back to the farm. Straw from spring linseed is our preference as it is like cotton wool, whereas the straw from winter-sown linseed can be much tougher, and harder to break down.
“Either way, it still provides a good fuel source for the boiler.”
Another benefit of using linseed straw is the amount of ash produced following a burn.
“Compared to cereal straw, linseed straw leaves very little ash in the bottom of the boiler after a burn,” he says. “It is a much more complete combustion.”
Once a week, the ash is removed from the boiler to keep the combustion channels from getting clogged across the base of the boiler.
Mr Taylor says: “It is a good job to do on a cold day, as there is still a
Compared to cereal straw, linseed straw leaves very little ash in the bottom of the boiler after a burn. It is a much more complete combustion
HENRY TAYLOR
lot of residual heat in the boiler, although it does not take long to do with a shovel and, once emptied, we will put another bale in and relight the fire. It is a low-maintenance system.”
Consuming up to 700 bales each year, the Taylors say heat in the biomass boiler is transferred to a 22,000-litre water tank through the boiler’s built-in heat exchanger, working as an open-vented, indirect hot water heating system.
A 1,500-litre bunded header tank with overflows offers a safety net should there be a power cut, for example, and heat continues to rise without adequate water circulation.
Mr Taylor says that the boiler is stoked twice a day in winter and once every other day in summer, when demand for heat is lower.
The exception is when the farm wants to use the biomass boiler to dry grain.
“The insulated water tank never cools down and it is easy to keep
Two industrial radiators sit in front of the main ducts, where enginedriven fans can blow heat into the laterals.
22,000 litres at almost 60degC on a year-round basis,” he says.
“It has never been below 50degC, so hot water is always available for use.”
A set of temperature gauges and sensors were added to the installation by Henry’s late father, John, just to keep an eye on heat.
One monitors the heat exchanger in the boiler, with three others displaying heat at the top, middle and bottom of the 22,000-litre storage tank.
Through a series of heavily insulated underground pipes, hot water is pumped to heat exchangers in the buildings that require warmth, where the heat is transferred into
the farm says round bales are the go-to format, being a more convenient package size and easier to handle.
“We can put around 35 degrees into the air flow through the two large radiators that fill the entrance to the duct.
The straw boiler has been a revelation when it comes to the farm’s heating costs and, once stoked, it warms up very quickly
HENRY TAYLOR
individual central heating systems.
Blenheim Farm’s big bale boiler is loaded using a telehandler and, after a period of using square bales,
The decision to redirect boiler heat to the grain store has been a positive step towards improving the farm’s grain drying capability.
They had been using engine-driven fans to push ambient air through ducting in the main store.
However, Mr Taylor says: “We pulled the engine assembly back from the ducting to allow large water radiators to be installed in the existing openings.
“If we want heat, it is simply a question of circulating hot water through the two radiators in each of the grain store’s main ducts, then running the engines to push the heat into the store’s vents.
“It is a very simple system that helps to condition the heap of grain in store.”
In recent years, the unit has been updated with a new control unit.
With a touchscreen terminal, the TS3 fan control unit offers greater automation and temperature monitoring, along with
The large door makes it easy to load bales into the boiler.
automated functions for start-up, plus pump and fan control.
“The straw boiler has been a revelation when it comes to the farm’s heating costs and, once stoked, it warms up very quickly, with minimal smoke,” adds Mr Taylor.
“Considering how much heat it delivers, the whole installation needs very little attention and provides a constant supply of hot water that can be fully utilised across the farm properties and the grain store.”
Edited by Katie Jones –
07786 856 439 – katie.jones@agriconnect.com For more livestock content, go to farmersguardian.com/livestock-news-hub
At Lissett Limousins in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, the primary goal is to breed pedigree Limousin cattle that excel in commercial herds, with a strong emphasis on maternal traits and rapid growth rates.
Owner, Nicholas Tennant, has developed the pedigree herd at Manor House Farm, comprising 20 cows and two bulls, alongside a commercial herd of 134 cows and five pedigree bulls, with a focus on ‘French style’ Limousin genetics, prioritising easy calving, rapid growth and good fleshing ability.
This is achieved through the careful selection of cows with strong maternal attributes, including calving ease, robust milk production, good temperament, sound feet and excellent growth rates.
Over the past five years, the herd has imported three notable French bulls, the first being Jac from Gaec de Queyrol-Bitarelle, chosen for its easy calving ability, strong loin and pelvis structure, outcross pedigree and outstanding locomotion.
Most recently, the Lissett herd has purchased both Rififi and Oliphan from Earl Meyrignac to provide new lines in the quest for the genetics it requires.
Recent additions to the commercial herd also include bulls from Stephen Illingworth’s Glenrock herd and Andrew Proctor’s Swarland herd.
Since head stockperson Robert McClements joined the team two years ago, the herd has been further refined with a strict culling policy and a sharper focus on commercial traits, ensuring only the best animals remain.
Mr McClements says they view the pedigree herd as an extension of the commercials, with a dual focus on breeding bulls to use commercially to fit their system and providing replacement heifers that can rear a decent calf.
He says: “We are running the pedi-
Refining genetics and prioritising maternal traits are key to securing one Yorkshire Limousin herd’s future. Farmers Guardian reports.
gree herd more commercially because at the end of the day, that is our market.
“Our goal is to produce bulls that will deliver easy calving and strong growth for the commercial farmer.”
The team at Manor House Farm see the results of their breeding efforts first hand, as they finish and sell any animals not retained for breeding through Malton Market. The commercial bulls are finished at 18 months, Mr McClements says.
“Most of our buyers are wholesale
n 134 commercial cows and heifers, including Simmentals, Limousin cross British Blue and a quarter pure Limousin
n 20-strong pedigree Limousin herd with two pedigree bulls
n Breeding stock sold to commercial farmers, with all nonbreeding animals finished through Malton and Selby markets
n Feeding a primarily homegrown total mixed ration including grass and maize silage, plus cereals
n 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) in total – 750ha (1,853 acres) arable, 250ha (618 acres) grazing and silage ground
Robert McClements with a pedigree Limousin cow and calf.
butchers and a local butcher, who favour heavier weights of 700-800kg,” he adds.
Last year, the farm sold 49 commercial fat bulls, averaging £2,492, and 31 heifers, averaging £2,122, with growth rates peaking at 1.94kg per day.
While the farm finishes animals on a tailored total mixed ration of homegrown silage, cereals and a 21% protein
blend from weaning at seven to 10 months old, Mr McClements says initial growth from the dam’s milk is critical to their success.
He emphasises his goal is to produce animals that gain weight quickly, which is increasingly important given the loss of the Single Farm Payment.
“An animal that gains weight and finishes better is more profitable, and from an environmental standpoint, the less time spent on-farm, the fewer
emissions the animal produces,” he says.
Some might say we are pedantic, but cleanliness, hygiene and a robust colostrum regime are key to our success in keeping our mortality rate very low
ROBERT MCCLEMENTS
While growth is important, the farm team also pays close attention to fleshing.
Their most recent cohort of heifers, at around 24 months old, averaged a 62.1% killing out percentage with conformation of U+3, at 740kg liveweight and 460kg on the hook.
Mr McClements continues to refine the breeding programme and looks to restore herd numbers.
This year, they calved 134 commercial cows and heifers, and 20 pedigree Limousins in two eight-week blocks, with plans to expand to 175 commercials and 25 pedigrees next year.
Mr McClements says that Limousin genetics deliver on the two biggest priorities for the herd: calving ease and milk.
While some might assume the breed produces large, bulky stock that struggle to calve, he adds this is not the case, thanks to their focused breeding programme.
“This year, out of 134 cows, only five required assistance during calving,” says Mr McClements.
“Jacking calves out will have a longterm impact on getting the cow back in-calf, and the whole point of a cow is to rear its calf, so they also need to produce enough milk to be retained.
“All of our heifers calve on their own, and that is how we want it. It sets them up for life, especially with labour shortages and rising input costs – calving ease is crucial.”
Nevertheless, attention to detail
at calving time is paramount, he says.
“Some might say we are pedantic, but cleanliness, hygiene and a robust colostrum regime are key to our success in keeping our mortality rate very low.
“We aim to muck out the main calving yards on a monthly basis, and calving pens are mucked out every 10 to 14 days, followed by the use of powdered disinfectant. This keeps disease to a minimum.”
They are firm believers in ensuring adequate colostrum intakes and dedicate time to making sure calves suckle in the first four hours of life.
He says: “We find that using Limousin bulls with the Myostatin F94L/F94L gene helps boost calf vigour, and they soon grasp the idea of suckling.”
Breed performance
■ 95%conceptionrateacrosstheherd
■ 154 cows calved in two eight-week blocks in spring (134 commercials and 20 pedigree Limousins) – 153 calves went to grass
The Lissett herd’s fertility is also impressive, with a 95% conception rate.
“The strict culling has helped tighten the calving interval and eliminate a lot of problems,” Mr McClements adds.
To accelerate genetic gain and expand the herd, recipient cows are used to carry embryos from the best in the herd.
The pedigree herd has sustained a high health status since its creation 15 years ago, and testing for accreditation began last year for the separately managed commercial herd.
Mr McClements says: “It is an on-
■ Five assisted calvings in the commercial herd
■ 31 heifers sold in the last 12 months averaged £2,122, with most recent cohort sold at 24 months old with
going process that could take 10-15 years, but it is the right thing to do.”
He believes high health status is especially important as, one day, they aspire to host regular production sales from the herd.
“Instead of sending a lot of our heifers that we are not keeping to slaughter, we would like to put a few to the bull, calve them and sell them as outfits,” he says.
“We would rather do that when we have a high health status, so we know we are selling a correct animal.”
He adds the focus on more maternal breeding will aid these production sales, allowing them to breed better females for the job.
Mr McClements has also focused on improving grazing since joining the team.
Instead of sending a lot of our heifers that we are not keeping to slaughter, we would like to put a few to the bull, calve them and sell them as outfits
ROBERT MCCLEMENTS
Cattle are usually housed from midOctober until mid-to-late April, with some of the farmland below sea level.
To maximise pasture productivity, he has started implementing rotational grazing across the 100hectare (247-acre) grazing platform set aside for the commercial cows, by dividing one block of land into four paddocks and moving electric fences every week to 10 days.
“Over the next few years, I would like to implement more of it,” he says.
Introducing herbal leys is also something he is keen to explore, particularly with the Sustainable Farming Incentive payments available.
62.1% average killing out percentage and conformation of U+3, at 740kg liveweight and 460kg on the hook
Limousin genetics deliver on the two biggest priorities for the herd – calving ease and milk – says Robert McClements.
■ 49 commercial fat bulls sold in the last 12 months averaged £2,492,
at 18 months of age, with liveweight gains peaking at 1.94kg/day
■ Plan to expand the herd to 175 commercials and 25 pedigrees in 2025
The stars of the equine world were on show at the 75th Horse of the Year Show at the NEC, Birmingham. Angela Calvert reports.
l Batley Pepper Gray retains Shire Horse title
ON the final night of the show, in front of a packed arena, there was an impressive line-up of Shire horses. But, for the second year running, the Shire Horse of the Year (HOYS) title went to Batley Pepper Gray, a four-year-old black mare by Toc Hill Sir George out of Batley Alison Gray, bred by A.J. Smith and shown by Robert Bedford. In reserve was Saredon Elinsore, a nine-year-old mare by three-time HOYS winner, Metherington Upton Hamlet, owned by Elizabeth Whitehouse.
Moorfield Nancy, a 15-year-old mare by Trem Y Wyddfa Mascot, gave an impressive performance to claim the Ridden Heavy Horse of the Year title under rider, Alice Pimbley, for owners,
Harry and Hannah Bardsley, giving them all their first HOYS win after attending just two shows this season.
South African judge J.J. Kemp said the mare gave him a phenomenal ride.
Reserve champion was Brian Bisset’s 12-year-old Clydesdale, Stobilee Zac, ridden by Isla Miller.
There were 12 horses and carriages forward for the Driven Heavy Horse of the Year championship, where the title went to Hugh Ramsay’s 11-yearold Shire gelding, Landscliffe Glassia, driven by Elaine Ramsay.
Reserve champion was Llangwm Hill Monty, owned and driven by Kurt Manders.
Putting on an immaculate display and looking after its tiny jockey to claim the Supreme Pony of the Year title was the Mini Show Pony of the Year, Derw Dream Boy, ridden by fiveyear-old Sienna Clay and shown by
Craig Eleanor. The seven-year-old bay gelding by Westgrove Dark Secret also won the Mini title in 2023 for previous owners.
After taking the Show Hunter of the Year title earlier in the week, Mulberry Lane II, a nine-year-old chestnut geld-
Ladies Sidesaddle, Phoebe Price, Happy Valentine’s. Harness Pony/Horse, Neil Wray, Brookeborough Reflection.
Racehorse to Riding Horse, Tori Thomas, Wonga Swinger. Working Hunter, Libby Cooke, Uisneagh Camus.
M and M Mini Pony, PrestynPatterson,CeltonAvallon. Hack, Harriet Dennison, Manhatten.
M and M Ridden Pony, Clare Fitch, Wildhoeve Okidoki.
Working Hunter Pony, Philippa King, Plato VD Donkhoeve.
Search for a Star, Samantha Lea, Redshaw Valentino.
In-Hand Supreme, Evelyn Tate, Kirkwood Tabitha Twitchit.
ing, went one better to claim the Supreme Horse of the Year title for owner, Susan Tennant, and rider, Craig Kiddier. The pair are best known for their working hunter successes and took the supreme horse title at the Royal International Horse Show in July.
Show Cob, Richard Telford, Taylors Hero. Children’s Riding Pony, Beatrice TavernerJordan, Landemann Bird of Paradise. Riding Horse, Edward Young, Calcourt Soli. Show Hunter Pony, Katie Parker, Thistledown Sea Mariner.
Coloured Horse/Pony, Oscar Konechny, Radlee Sudden Impact.
Small Hunter, Meg Edmondson, Briarhill Buddy Bolden.
Miniature Supreme, Charlotte Leonard, Scotts Olympic Dream.
Pure-bred Arab, Georgina Rees, Valletta Hunters Song.
Maxi Cob, Vicky Smith, A Red Knight.
M and M Working Hunter Pony, Oscar Elcock, Brynithon Poachers Gold.
Week beginning October 14
Scotland
(9.6kgDM/acre/day)
The North 38.3kgDM/ha/day (15.5kgDM/acre/day)
Wales 32kgDM/ha/day (12.9kgDM/acre/day) 27.8 9.9 28.6
The South 21.2kgDM/ha/day
(8.6kgDM/acre/day) 29.0 11.1 21.2
Grass growth Soil moisture (cb)
Soil temperature (degC) Rainfall (mm per week)
Region Seven-day forecast 14-day forecast
NorthEngland 22.3kgDM/ha(9kgDM/acre) 31.9kgDM/ha(12.9kgDM/acre)
SouthEngland 23.8kgDM/ha(9.6kgDM/acre) 30.8kgDM/ha(12.5kgDM/acre)
Scotland 15.8kgDM/ha(6.4kgDM/acre) 20.2kgDM/ha(8.2kgDM/acre)
Wales 20.1kgDM/ha(8.1kgDM/acre) 25.4kgDM/ha(10.3kgDM/acre)
■ Modelledgrassgrowthprediction isgoodforthisstageoftheseason, with15-20kgofdrymatter(DM) perday(6-8kgDM/acre/day)then unusuallyincreasingto20-30kg DM/ha/day(8-12.1kgDM/acre/day) inthefollowingweek,socontinue grazingwherepossible
■ Despitethedeterioratinggrass quality(withDM%andmetabolisable
energyfallingbackweekbyweek) trytokeepgrazedgrassinthediet ofatleastsomelivestockgroups tohelpminimisetheimpactsof winterforagedeficits
■ Paddocksbestsuitedtoearly springgrazing(withgoodgrazing infrastructure)shouldbegrazedand closedthisweek(ifnotalready)to ensureenoughgrasstograzeinspring
GrassCheckGB is a collaboration between The UK Agri-Tech Centre, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Rothamsted Research, AHDB, Hybu Cig Cymru, Germinal, Handley Enterprises, Sciantec Analytical, Yara, Pilgrim’s UK and Quality Meat Scotland. Regular updates will appear in Farmers Guardian.
October 31, 7pm
Chair: Alex Black Head of News and Business, Farmers Guardian
Join Farmers Guardian for an exclusive webinar that dives into the latest Budget announcements and what they mean for the agricultural sector. This event is tailored for farmers, landowners, and rural business leaders eager to learn how these changes could impact their businesses.
Scan the QR code to register for the webinar
Growing up on her family’s Lincolnshire farm, Ivory Arden always preferred poultry to other livestock. She started rearing chickens in the garden, setting up an egg round selling to local customers, as well as rearing partridges for a shoot.
The farm was mainly arable at the time, but 10 years ago, when Miss Arden was 18, the family set up a free-range egg enterprise as both a means of diversifying and providing a route for her to join the business.
Miss Arden is one of six siblings –three girls and three boys – and her brothers are involved in other aspects of the farm while she manages the whole poultry business.
She says: “I did a degree in agriculture at Riseholme College and then joined the family business. We started with one 32,000-hen unit and over the next seven years built this up to four units – so we now have 128,000 hens.
“Each unit is on a separate site surrounded by about 40 acres of grassland, but all within a five-mile radius.
“As well as the grass for the birds to roam on, there is woodland on most of the sites, and where there were none already, we have planted trees. There are also shelters outside for the hens.
“We also have a flock of about
A
passion for poultry led Ivory Arden to a career in the free-range egg industry. Angela Calvert finds out more.
400 commercial ewes, which are rotated around the units to manage the grass. There are fences so they cannot get too close to the sheds, but the hens can go under the fence and out into the fields.
“I also have some Golden Guernsey and Pygmy goats on one of the units, which do the same.
The eggs are sold to a packer on a long-term contract, and ultimately end up on supermarket shelves. Automation is used as much as possible within the business.
Miss Arden says: “Technology is progressing all the time, so as we added each new unit we tried to
make improvements to enable us to continually improve standards and efficiency. All feed and water is distributed automatically, and eggs are rolled from the nest boxes onto a conveyor belt and into the packhouse.
“We still do the initial grading by hand, but the egg packing and putting onto pallets is all done by robots. It then goes to the packer for further grading and packing for the retailer.
“By using robots as much as possible, it gives us more time to actually focus on the hens.
“We can spend more time walking the shed, picking up any floor eggs and checking on the birds to
Keeping everything to a very high standard is crucial [...] cleanliness is top of the agenda, along with biosecurity
make sure there are no problems.”
Pullets are bought in at 16 weeks old, giving them time to settle in before they start laying, and are kept until 76 weeks old.
Miss Arden says: “They could be kept a bit longer, although not through to molt, and under the Lion Code they cannot be kept longer than 100 weeks.
“We make sure each unit is on a different cycle time-wise so there is a consistent supply of eggs all year round.
“Once a unit has been emptied, there is a four-week turnaround before the next batch of hens.
“We do all our own cleaning so it gives us time to make sure everything is spotless and deal with any repairs or maintenance issues.
“Keeping everything to a very high standard is crucial. We are food producers and cleanliness is top of the agenda, along with biosecurity.”
While bird health is vital onfarm, Miss Arden does not believe in using vaccines, wormers or antibiotics unnecessarily .
She says: “The chickens will have been vaccinated at the hatchery and rearer, but after that we only vaccinate if there is a problem and we have only used antibiotics three times in the whole 10 years.”
IVORY ARDEN
The poultry business employs nine members of staff, some of whom are part-time, and all are local.
The free-range egg enterprise was set up 10 years ago.
Miss Arden says: “Each unit is operated by one main member of staff, with part-time assistance, and staff do not move between units because of biosecurity.
“We do not really have a problem finding staff. It is routine work but they do a 7am-3pm shift, which suits a lot of people as they have their afternoons free.
Pullets are bought in at 16 weeks old and are kept until 76 weeks old.
“They all complete the Lion Code training course and I try to keep them updated on what is happening in the industry. I think if they understand why we have to do what we do, it helps.
“It can be quite an isolated job, so we make sure we have a social aspect to it and will go to the pub on payday.”
The poultry industry has gone
through a turbulent time over the past few years, with low egg prices, avian influenza, increasing energy prices and the pandemic just some of the many challenges faced.
Miss Arden says: “The industry is in a better place than it was a few years ago when the egg prices were really
low. A lot of producers did leave the industry, but because we were a relatively new business and had recently invested in new units, we were committed to keeping going.
“It was probably a bit of a wake-up call for retailers, and since then the price has improved – but it had to because costs are constantly rising.
“The biggest costs are feed and
Eggs are rolled from the nest boxes onto a conveyor belt and into the packhouse.
energy, with so many aspects of the units relying on electricity. We have tried to mitigate this by using renewables and [we] have solar panels, battery solar and wind turbines, which has helped a lot.
“Fortunately, we have not so far been affected by avian influenza, but it is a constant worry. With free-range, there is only so much you can do to protect them as there is always the risk from wild birds and game.
“The housing order was not too much of a problem. Different batches of birds reacted differently – if they were young and had not been used to going out a lot, they did not mind, whereas some of the older birds were more bothered.”
Administration is a big part of the job and the sector is heavily regulated, with the business audited by
the Lion Code, RSPCA Freedom Foods and Defra.
Miss Arden says: “Unfortunately, all the audits are done at different times and often unannounced, so it can seem that there is one going on all the time.
“I do not have a problem with it as we have nothing to hide, but it does mean that someone has to be available at all times to deal with the paperwork.”
As well as focusing on her own business, Miss Arden is keen to get involved in the wider industry and is passionate about educating both consumers and the next generation on the poultry sector and agriculture in general.
This has not gone unnoticed, and in 2022 she was awarded the British Free Range Egg Producers Association’s Egg Producer of the Year award for
Eggs are sold to a packer on a long-term contract.
Automation is used as much as possible within the business.
more than 64,000 hens, and in 2023 won Young Farmer of the Year at the National Egg and Poultry Awards.
Although bird health is vital on-farm, Ivory Arden does not believe in using vaccines, wormers or antibiotics unnecessarily.
She says: “There are so many amazing career opportunities, not only in the poultry sector but in agriculture, but it is largely ignored by schools and we have to try to change that.
“I have been part of the NFU Poultry Industry Programme, which was a great opportunity to get offfarm and visit other places such as Westminster and other poultry businesses in the UK and abroad.
“It is good to see how things are done elsewhere and to learn more about the bigger picture and how politics and regulators work.
“I have also been involved with the Farms for Schools project, which involves going into schools and talking to pupils about hens and eggs, and I am active on social media.
“Unfortunately, because of activists, a lot of producers stay below the radar, so the only things the public see and hear can be negative.
“So, I think it is important to be open and try to explain to people more about what we do and the high standards we maintain, as well as the industry’s environmental and sustainability credentials.”
•
•
•
Pig and poultry units need to focus on comprehensive and effective disinfection to minimise the consequences of pathogenic infections on performance.
That is the advice from Dan Clow, pig and poultry sales specialist at Neogen, who says regular reviews of hygiene protocols and procedures are required to ensure they remain as effective as possible.
He says this way, producers will be able to maximise biosecurity and reduce the losses in productivity, including those resulting from subclinical health issues.
Mr Clow says: “Monogastric units remain at risk of a broad spectrum of pathogens where infections can compromise performance.
“In poultry units, we typically see reduced growth, rate of lay, egg quality, duration of lay or mortality.
“In pig units, growth and feed conversion will typically be reduced under pathogenic challenges.”
Mr Clow says the problem is that the previous batch of pigs or birds will have been exposed to micro-organisms which may have caused disease in more mature pigs or birds.
While older animals may fight off the challenge, chicks, young birds and piglets will not tolerate them so well. He says poor performance and poor feed conversion ratios are often put down to feeding, but in many cases are due to subclinical pathogenic infections.
“Cleaning and disinfection will always be a key pillar in monogastric farm biosecurity,” says Mr Clow.
He advises cleaning with a foam detergent to help remove soiling before applying disinfectant, and disinfectants which combine a high initial kill rate with a long-lasting residual action are ideal.
However, over time, routines have become increasingly standardised and the time available to remove litter and other organic material for cleaning and subsequent disinfection is becoming tighter.
Mr Clow says: “This means that, in many cases, simpler programmes are being used, including higher application rates of chemical just to be sure.”
Additionally, time constraints may mean that target application contact times are seldom achieved, or stages are simply cut out, reducing the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfecting.
The pathogenic challenges being faced are also changing, says Mr Clow, meaning routines need to evolve to deliver optimum disinfection.
He says all pathogens, in particular viruses, are constantly mutating, allowing them to adapt to pH sensitivity, with avian influenza strains particularly adept at this.
He says: “As viruses mutate and challenges evolve, it is essential to reassess cleaning protocols. All units are unique with differing combinations of pathogenic challenges, facilities and environment, so we advise reviewing cleaning protocols before every new crop.”
Mr Clow says that by identifying specific problems through cleaning protocol reviews, it is possible to refine the existing programme to increase its effectiveness.
He says: “It is about developing an effective routine which is practical within the time constraints and delivers a good return on investment.”
He says chemical disinfectants are constantly evolving to meet the challenges of mutating pathogens alongside tightening environmental and health and safety regulations, therefore selecting the appropriate mix of chemistry will help improve the efficacy of cleaning protocols.
“When using a combination of disinfectants, it will be important to use them at the correct concentration and in the right order. I would also advise verifying the cleaning processes by measuring adenosine triphosphate.”
This can be done after terminal cleanout and before bedding is put down, indicating the levels of live pathogens remaining after disinfection and providing a measure of the effectiveness of routines.
“By selecting the most appropriate and compatible cleaners and disinfectants, it will be possible to achieve more effective overall hygiene and help reduce the risk of pathogenic disease. This in turn will lead to improved performance and output,” Mr Clow says.
HUNTAWAYS were able to compete for the first time in the UK at last Saturday’s working dog field day and trial, held in Wooler, Northumberland.
Several years in the making, the event, organised by Tom Jenkins and hosted by James Cross and Jess Brown at Low Humbleton Farm, was well-supported, with various sections for multiple types and abilities of working dogs attracting handlers of all abilities alongside spectators.
Mr Jenkins said: “We wanted to
put on a relaxed style of trialling event that would appeal to everyone from experienced triallists and handlers to those with an interest or just starting out.
“The vision for this, and hopefully other trials of its kind in the future, is to provide an inclusive way to improve the training of particularly Huntaways in the UK.
“Being able to showcase the controlled handling of sheep with Huntaways is going to help improve the handling of the breed and ultimately enable it to be used more efficiently and possibly more correctly.”
He is also hopeful that this style of event could be a way to facilitate
October 19. SENNYBRIDGE, SennybridgeDogSale. October 22. RADNOR NURSERY TWO, GriffinLloyd, Knighton,LD71SL,beginners,noviceandnursery classes,10amstart,contactKarinHaker,tel:07400608 952.
October 26. LLANGELYNNIN, LL369ND,8amstart, tel:07979156650. PENBWLCH, Llanfarain,8amstart, contactI.Jones,tel:01970617949.
October 26-27. NANT-Y-MOEL HILL, Pontardawe, SA84RT,onesessiononSaturdayandoneonSunday, doublegatherfinalonSundayafternoon,8amstart, contactsecretaryFloydFarthing,tel:07891246997.
October 29. RADNOR, Graig-yr-Onnen, Hundred House, Builth Wells, LD1 5SB, beginners, novice and nursery classes, 10am start, contact Iwan Rees, tel: 07845 598 584.
October 31. TYNYGRAIG, Talybont,SY245HJ,contact DewiJenkins,tel:07894718546.
November 2. RADNOR, Llanfaredd, Builth Wells, LD2 3TE, beginners, novice and nursery classes, 10am start, contact Iwan Rees, tel: 07845 598 584.
November 9. RADNOR, Nantmel, Radnor, LD1 6EL, beginners, novice and nursery classes, 10am start, contact Sophia Pugh, tel: 07983 625 009.
October 19. RYEDALE, Egton, on the Glaisdale road out of Egton, field is on the right, what3words: cure. acids.crush, no novice, contact, S. Cornforth, tel: 01947 895 216. CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS, Newnham Estate Plympton, what3words: spit.sing. fault then follow the signs up the track, Maltese cross and driving, 12pm start. PENNINE, Park House Farm, Elslack, BD23 3AT, 9.30am start, Pennine Rules apply, any competitor running more than one dog must have one booked in before 12pm and take the next available run, contact Carol Mellin, tel: 07891 871 298. October 19 and 20. FLYDE, Rooten Brook Farm, Quernmore, LA2 9EJ, 9.30am start, usual Pennine interclub rules apply. October 20. PLYMPTON, Newnham Estate Plympton, what3words: spit.sing.fault, then follow the signs up the track, double fetch, secretary, Ross Skelley, tel: 07866 336 875. NSDA, CA17 4LQ, all trials are subject to change depending upon weather conditions, membership £5pp is due on the first nursery date, Northern Sheepdog Association rules apply, 9:30am start, last booking in 1pm, only one dog after 12pm. NORTH WESTMORLAND, Bennett Head, Ullswater, CA11 0LT, what3words: bravo.gazes.shorthand, 9am start, nursery, novice (confined to Cumbria),
HOLME (28 ran) 1, C. Kempson, Cowpe Bottom Tweed, 80; 2, S. Duckworth, Protea Flint, 78; 3, J. Scriven, Pinhaw Dewi, 77; 4, C. Kempson, Elstan Glen, 73; 5, J. Ashworth, Burndale Lass, 72; 6, C. Kempson, Elstan Sonny, 64.
SUCKLEY (Judge, R. Barker) Novice, 1, M. Hooper, Gyp, 7; 2, P. Thomas, Lawley Molly, 11; 3, I. Davies, Peg, 13; 4, P. Thomas, Newbold Zak, 19; 5, P. Thomas, Skye, 23; 6, L. Owen, Bonnie, 26. Nursery, 1, M. Hooper, Tyr Banc Jet, 27; 2, M. Hooper, Tess, 40; 3, G. Morgan, Roy, 46. Open, 1, R. Morris, Tess, 41. RYEDALE, Plum Tree trial, Nursery, 1, S. Aconley, Hilston Rob, 75; 2, I. Murdoch, Miss, 73; 3, G. Blyth, Cloddiau Bet, 73; 4, D. Bristow, Greenhow Tess, 72; 5, B. Harland, Dan, 69; 6, P. Simpson, Roy, 65; 7, J. Goulder, Hillston Sim, 60; 8, C. Mellin, Mac, 59. Novice, 1. J. Atkinson, Sandy, 79; 2, B. Simpson, Gem, 77. New Handler, J. Porteus, Graylee Tig. AVON VALLEY, Day one, 1, T. Thewissen, Fellside Finn, 91; 2, T. Thewissen, Fynbos Turk, 88; 3, R. Curtis, Ru, 83; 4, B. Smith, Ben2, 80 OLFD; 5, T. Thewissen, Kate, 80 OLF; 6, L. Kasel-Seibert, Rob, 80. Day two, 1, N. Vyas, Cap, 149/175; 2, B. Smith, Kirby, 147; 3, T. Thewissen, Kate, 138; 4, N. Vyas, Cai, 131; 5, T. Thewissen, Finn, 127; 6, T. Thewissen, Turk, 126 OLF. TRAWDEN, 1, T. Birkett, Jim, 84; 2, R. Taylor, Jed, 83 OLF; 3, J. Wood, Ruby, 83; 4, C. Taylor, Flash, 82; 5, R. Hutchinson, Minnie, 81; 6, R. Atkins, Joss, 79. NORTH WESTMORLAND, 1, D. Gallagher, Mik, 83; 2, D. Scrimgeour, Nancy, 81; 3, N. Westgard, Meg, 78;
more of a community for the Huntaway breed in the UK.
“It can be difficult to find Huntaways with known background breeding in the UK. Running a trial is a way of bringing those with this
new handler trial, all dogs to be booked in by 1pm, contact Joe Relph, tel: 07494 443 901. October 26. RYEDALE, Roos Furze Farm, Hilston Road, Roos, Hull, HU12 0JB, what3words: slope. coveted.logbook, contact, G. Blyth, tel: 07766 145 046. PENNARE, Pennare Farm, Veryan, Truro, TR2 5PH, 9.30am start, contact Trevor Hopper, tel: 01872 501 886. PENNINE NURSERY, High Sanfitt Farm, Addingham, LS29 0JT, Pennine rules apply, any competitor running more than one dog must have one booked in before 12pm and take the next available run, contact Carol Mellin, tel: 07891 871 298. October 26 and 27. NSDA, HG4 4NH, all trials are subject to change depending upon weather conditions. Membership £5pp is due on the first nursery date, Northern Sheepdog Association rules apply, 9:30am start, last booking in 1pm, only one dog after 12pm.
October 27. VERYAN, Pennare Farm, Veryan, Truro, TR2 5PH, 9am start, contact Trevor Hopper, tel: 01872 501 886.
November 2. HOLME NURSERY, Mitchell House Reservoir, Haslingden, BB5 2DL, 9.30am start, catering on field, contact S. Duckworth, tel: 07890 545 437. FYLDE, Hall Croft Barn, Over Kellet, LA6 1AB, 9.30am start, usual Pennine interclub rules apply, contact Mr Longton, tel: 07736 278 398. RYEDALE, Carlton Sandhoe Farm, Carlton, Goole, DN14 9RS, what3words: started.wildfires.outsize, contact Stuart Walton, tel: 07789 740 122.
November 3. NSDA, Hardraw, Hawes, DL8 3LZ, all trials are subject to change depending upon weather conditions, membership £5pp is due on the first nursery date, Northern Sheepdog Association rules apply, 9:30am start, last booking in 1pm, only one dog after 12pm.
October 19. MEY, Wester Farm, Dunnet, KW14 8XP, 8.30am start, open and nursery trial, contact K. Thorburn, tel: 07904 403 072, or D. Simpson, tel: 07853 720 833.
October 20. COLMONEL, Cairnhill farm, Kirkmichael, Maybole, Ayrshire, KA19 7LA, 8am start, entries on field £8 per dog, contact neil. gillon@hotmail.co.uk.
October 26. BARR, Lanes farm, Barr, Girvan, Ayrshire, KA26 9TH, 2032 international fundraiser, entries £10 per entry, 8am start, catering in field, contact neil.gillon@hotmail.co.uk. October 27. ANNUAL HILL TRIAL, Lanes farm, Barr, Girvan, Ayrshire, KA26 9TH, £10 per entry 8am start, catering on field, contact neil.gillon@ hotmail.co.uk.
4, R. Harrison, Nis, 73; 5, K. Cropper, Blaze, 66; 6, M. Metcalfe, Roy, 64. NSDA, 1, A. Hunter, Tilly, 73; 2, R. Green, Jake, 59; 3, J. Tourism, Tess, 58; 4, B. Simpson, Mist, 57; 5, E. Hill, Tink, 56; 6, R. Dungmore, Bo, 35. WOOLER HUNTAWAY AND OTHER, Short head and yard (Lewis Ward) 1, H. Suobodoba, Mia (Collie), 80; 2, A McCallum, Guinness (Heading dog), 75; 3, T. Aspin, Del (Collie) and H. Charleton, Jed (Collie), 73. Huntaway yard (L. Ward) 1, S. Fifield Smith, Helen, 98; 2, S. Morgan, Ounce, 97; 3, C. Fawbet, Blue, 94. Straight hunt (Nick Flux) 1, A. McCallum, Ted, 94; 2, D. Cheetham, Amber, 92; 3, J. Cross, Russ, 87. Young dog recognition, C. Fawbert, Blue (Huntaway).
GLAMORGAN NURSERY (Kevin Evans) 1, D. Howells, Mick, 12; 2, D. Millichap, Rose, 13; 3, D. Howells, Kemi Kate, 15; 4, C. Millichap, Efail Ping, 17; 5, M. Edwards, Bronallt Nip, 18; 6, D. Meek, Craig, 22. Novice, 1, D. Millichap, Efail Chase, 10; 2, D. Howells, Mick, 11; 3, D. Millichap, Rose, 12; 4, J. Howells, Millie, 15; 5, C. Millichap, Efail Ping, 20; 6, D. Meek, Craig, 25. PEMBROKE NURSERY (M. Evans) 1, L. Harries, Mo, 18 OLF; 2, S. Harden, Foxridge Bet, 18; 3, C. Browning, Cloud, 22; 4, S. Harden, Kennox Pip, 25; 5, L. Harries, Preseli Boss, 27; 6, E. Harries, Preseli Nan, 28. GLOUCESTER AND GWENT 1, J. Garland, Rhyswg Fay, 17; 2, N. Matthews, Hilltop Lexi, 19; 3, B. Lester, Tysswg Lass, 25; 4, B. Watts, Kingsdean Rita, 26; 5, S. Currie, Tom, 30; 6, M. Jones, Mack, 31.
MANOR, 1,D.Robertson,Roy,97;2,N.McVicar,Marc, 93;3,S.McColloch,Sam,91;4,C.Dickson,Tom,91;5,H. Mitchell,Bray,90;6,N.Campbell,Gwen,90.
interest together and creates a good networking opportunity to find the breeding that people want.”
With others keen to host, the hope is that other events of its kind will follow in the near future.
Source: LAA/MartEye
3/610.0 18/1005.6 -/- 10/275.4 6/220.8 14/213.7 11/150.1 7/559.3 13/644.2 13/861.5
Source: IAAS/ScotEID Figures show livestock numbers first, then average price per head.
Source: LAA/MartEye
Primestock throughput, price and price change (p/kg). Week ending October 15, 2024.
THEREwerepriceincreasesinall livestockcategoriesatauctionmarts inEnglandandWalesthisweek.
In the cattle rings, heifers improved the most by 5.9p/kg to 290.8p/kg, despite a decline in dairy-sired cull cows, which were valued 1.4p/kg less than the previous week at 146p/kg.
Steers were up by 1.9p/kg to 274.9p/kg, and young bulls had increased by 1.3p/kg to 282.4p/kg.
Inthesheeprings,lambshad growninvalueby3.1p/kgto280.4p/kg
Porkers and cutters had risen in price, even though baconers were down by 7.4p/kg to 186.6p/kg.
As Farmers Guardian went to press on Wednesday (October 16), UK LIFFE wheat prices for November 2024 were trading at £184/tonne, a decrease of £5.40/t on the week.
N/SdeadweightpricesfortheweekendingOctober12,2024.
DeadweightsheeppricesarecollectedfromasampleofGBabattoirs.
Please note: AHDB weaner data has been suspended until further notice.
SOURCE: LAA/MartEye
SOURCE:
SOURCE: LAA/MartEye
SOURCE:
*FortradingDelinkagerefamounts;19pper£1 ofDelinkagereferenceamount.**Estimates. ENGLISH DELINKAGE REF DATA: averageof 2020/21/22claims.Seller’s2023claimnotneeded. Estimatedreturn£1.20/£1refamountwithbuyer’s delinkpaymentlessthan£30,000post-transfer. SubjecttoDelinkagevalues2025-27.
BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN: English:Defra estimates£20,000-£200,000/unitexcluding VATandassociatedfees,subjecttolotsize.Last tenderSeptember9,2024,nextOctober21,2024. NUTRIENT NEUTRALITY: Long-termsales alltypesagricmanexcludingspecialisthabitat creation.Nitrates£3,000-£4,000/unit(£18,000£206,000/ha);phosphates£50,000-£65,000/ unit(£2,000-£169,000/ha). CARBON: Woodland Carbon>£35/WCU>£25/PIU.May2023WCG reverseauctionaverage£19.76. WATER: English abstractionlicenceslessthan£3-£15/cu.m.
Source: Townsend Chartered Surveyors
1.Thiscontractwillreceivea1.33pplguaranteedminimumpayment.2.Thiscontractwillreceivea0.50pplmemberpremiumpayment.2.Thiscontract willreceivea1.95pplTescocheesegrouppayment.3.Thiscontractwillreceivea1.00ppldirectpremiumpayment.4.Thiscontractwillreceivea0.54ppl avesustainabilitypayment.5.Thiscontractwillreceivea0.25pplactual13thpayment.Retailerpricesupplementsareincludedwhereapplicable. Supplementslistedareinadditiontolistedmilkprices.Milkpricesshownarethemonthlyandannualaveragepricethatwouldbepaidonacontract for12monthsgoingforwardifthepresentpricescheduleremainedthesame.Priceslistedaboveexcludecapitalretentions,administrationcharges, groupsubsandVATbutincludelevyandseasonalityadjustments.MilkcontractsareprovidedtoAHDBonavoluntarybasis.Allpricesshownare calculatedusingtheAHDBStandardLitre.ThisreflectstheaverageGBfarmandfromApril2024isbasedon1.5mlitres/year,4.20%butterfat,3.38% protein,160ksomaticcellcountand27kbactoscan.TherehasalsobeenaslightadjustmenttotheAHDBlevy,whichcameintoforceinApril2024.To calculatepricesspecifictoyourownmilkvisittheAHDBMilkPriceCalculator.PleasenotethatforBarbersthereisaguaranteethatshouldtheActual MilkPriceEquivalent(AMPE)-2pplmoveaheadoftheBarbers’priceJultoDec2024,Barberswillpaythisontheextralitresabovethebasevolume.
Susie Parish’s passion for wool has grown throughout her career, and she has gained an impressive amount of experience both on and off the competitive shearing circuit. Farmers Guardian finds out more.
Brought up on a smallholding in Alton, Hampshire, Susie Parish has been around sheep since a young age. She had pet lambs as a girl, which eventually formed the basis of a 50-head flock.
Susie recalls how one year the shearer did not turn up, so – as a self-proclaimed ‘doer’ – she set about with a pair of hand shears.
She says: “It was after organophosphate [OP] dips were banned and before the introduction of pour-ons, and the sheep were beginning to suffer with fly strike. I had a book which described how to shear a sheep, so my brother read bits to me while I worked away with a pair of shears.”
After being turned away from Sparsholt College’s shepherding course aged 17 and told to return when she was older, Susie began working locally as a shepherd, mainly carrying out lambing work.
She says: “I learnt an awful lot while working. By taking on various jobs, I was lambing for four or five months of the year, and I then did a bit of wool rolling for a shearing gang. At that age, I was too scared to ask the shearers for advice, so I just watched them. For the rest of the summer, I was on a tractor and then worked with horses in the winter.”
As Susie’s own shearing improved, she joined the Small Shepherds’ Club’s approved shearing list and, through this, her own business grew.
At the same time, she was assisting her brother with his contracting business, doing tractor work that was needed at the time.
It was while baling straw for husband and wife Emma and Neil Boyles that Susie’s next move was to be determined. Having recently purchased a farm, Emma and Neil asked Susie for some help with their ponies. The couple were also keen to buy some sheep, and because they did not have any previous experience, a shepherd was required – Susie was an obvious fit.
To begin with, Emma and Neil bought a small flock of Southdowns for their ‘teddy bear’ appearance. As time went on and Emma’s sheep knowledge grew, she could not believe the lack of value in a sheep’s fleece and wanted to do something to add value to the product.
Wool was sent away to be spun, and Emma and Susie began experi-
[Wool] is great for the environment, and having already been produced by the sheep, it should be made use of
SUSIE PARISH
menting with different methods of dying the fibre – the beginning of what was to become The Grey Sheep Co.
Susie says: “The Southdown wool did not make a very good knitting wool. It consists of a short fibre, so was more suited to carpet manufacturing.”
From there, a trip to the Sheep Event at Malvern led to Neil and Emma discovering the Gotland breed. Originating from the Swedish island of Gotland by the Vikings, this breed has a lustrous fleece with colours ranging from black through to silver.
Susie says: “We were the first to dye coloured wool. When it is dyed, the natural colour brings a lot more tones to finished wool.”
These days, the farm is home to a 450-strong flock consisting of equal numbers of pure Gotlands and a cross breed containing a lot of Merino blood, which Susie and Emma breed themselves and have coined the ‘Stein’.
Not all ewes are lambed every year, and like many other wool-producing flocks around the world, wethers are run on to be shorn and remain in the flock – Susie’s main priority is keeping the sheep’s fleeces as clean as possible.
At the end of December or early January, the flock is shorn, before being brought inside to shelter and lamb, avoiding any straw and hay attaching to the fleece when the sheep are inside. Part of Susie’s strategy is to treat any lameness quickly to reduce the amount of
time sheep spend lying down and dirtying the fleece. She shears the animals’ back ends and also keeps on top of weeds in fields which might get stuck to fleeces.
Susie says: “Keeping sheep in this way has been a huge learning curve.”
At the end of May, the Gotlands are shorn again for a trim-up which helps to strengthen their next full fleece. But due to the difference in the way their wool grows, the Steins do not require shearing more than once a year.
Wool from The Grey Sheep Co is shipped globally to home-knitters or into wool shops.
As a British Wool ambassador, Susie travels around shows supporting the team, and for a long time she has also been the Hampshire representative for British Wool.
She says: “Going to shows and promoting the uses of wool is really important to me.
“Wool has a monetary value, but it has a huge importance as a product. It is great for the environment, and having already been produced by the sheep, it should be made use of.
“British Wool supports the supply chain from collection to processing and marketing, and develops new products – the new wool rope being one great example. The organisation needs volume to benefit from economies of scale.”
Still with her own shearing run of 6,000 sheep, as well as alpacas and llamas, Susie was taken on by British Wool as their first approved female shearing instructor a number of years ago, after going on a shearing course to improve her skills.
“There were so many people there, I ended up helping other participants on the course,” she says.
“At the end of the day, I was asked if I would consider being an instructor and, after some persuasion, I accepted. I have been instructing ever since, teaching beginners and intermediates.”
She also enjoys sharing her knowledge with schoolchildren. Previously, she has been livestreamed into schools while shearing a sheep as part of the NFU’s schools project, with over 160,000 children watching.
Susie also had her moment on TV, as she sheared a sheep on Alan
Titchmarsh’s Spring into Summer programme, and live on the Jeremy Vine show. She says: “In these situations, whether talking to school kids or on the TV, the main message I want to get across is that shearing does not hurt the animal – that is really important.”
Appointed earlier this year as the National Sheep Association South East Region chair, Susie works as part of a team to put on events and
Edited by Emily Ashworth
knowledge exchange opportunities. She reflects on her connection to Young Farmers and how ‘when that came to an end, I was always looking for the next thing to be involved with’.
Also a BISCA-approved shearing judge, Susie says she has been more active as a competitor in recent times, competing at the major county shows. Wool handling is her latest
venture – she has recently started competing as a novice and came second at the Royal Welsh Spring Festival this year.
She says: “There is a shortage of wool handling judges, and I would like to help out by becoming one. In order to do that successfully, I think it is really important to compete first to truly understand the competition. It is really technical.”
Blade shearing competitions, using a traditional pair of hand
shears, are another passion of Susie’s. This year, she won the Intermediate Blades Shearing Circuit, and next year she will compete in the open. She says it is ‘quite addictive’, and she has an appetite to continue to get better.
“It is a good sport to get into, as if you have just a few sheep to shear at home it is a cheap and enjoyable way of shearing them. The sheep are a lot calmer when they are blade-shorn as there is no noise or
vibrations produced by a machine,” says Susie.
Machine shearing is another of Susie’s disciplines, and she has won the ladies competition at the Royal Welsh Show several times.
And this is where her passion ultimately lies: being a representative of the British wool industry, but also showcasing the opportunities available.
INFORMATION Visit farmersguardian.com/farm-life
Every week we follow the ups and downs of farmers around the UK
EMMA ROBINSON
Monmouthshire
Emma and her family farm in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, milking 100 pedigree Holsteins and selling raw milk from the farmgate. They also run 300 North Country Mules. Emma is Monmouthshire NFU chair and volunteers with the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.
Ifarm in Monmouthshire with my husband Robert, children Harvey and Phoebe, daughter-in-law
Avril and granddaughter Hattie.
Our family has been farming for more than 100 years. Robert’s grandparents and parents took many risks which has enabled us to farm at the scale we do today.
We relocated our farming business in 2014 to Wales and farm 154 hectares (380 acres) in a beautiful landscape. We are a mixed farm with a closed herd of 100 pedigree Holsteins and 350 ewes – a combination of North Country Mules and Lleyn crosses.
We grow maize; wheat, oats and wholecrop to feed back to the livestock to keep costs low.
We sell our milk to a local dairy branded as Welsh Milk. We are also certified to sell raw milk direct from the farmgate.
Over the years I have built up a good customer base, many of our regulars travel long distances, normally weekly, for bulk orders. The Food Standards Agency rules and regulations are very strict, with six-monthly inspections.
We harvested some of our maize crop at the weekend, the field furthest away from the farm. The rest of the
HURRICANEMiltoncausedmultiple problemsintheUSAlastweek,with flooding,damageanddeaths. However,aphenomenathathas beengrowinginrecentyearsrearedits headthereinawaythatshockedany right-mindedperson–deaththreats beingmadetometeorologists. Whilebeingnowherenearthe severityofthethreateninglanguage shownduringMilton,myfellow scientistshavenoticedanincreasein targetedcommentswhenforecasts areissued,and,asusual,these commentsarebeingmadeonsocial media.Itseemsthatthedrivingforce forthesecommentsisabeliefthat
‘It’s a case of hold your nerve and keep in contact with the contractor’
crop needs another two weeks before it’s ready; it’s a case of hold your nerve and keep in contact with the contractor. One of the maize fields will be going into an environmental scheme, although now the Welsh Government says it has changed the signed contract.
I hope we are able to drill the wheat and oats after maize, wishing for a dry spell and not a repeat of last year’s washout.
Our Red Tractor audit was last week and we have a few non-conformances to rectify. I don’t have the luxury
of being in the office full-time, so it’s a juggling act completing all the paperwork, cleaning, maintenance and looking after my calves.
The control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations came into force in August across Wales and closed periods will be upon us this month.
We were inspected on August 6 and, after this experience, I can understand how regulations cause stress and anxiety for farmers. A review of the regulations will be undertaken before April 2025.
It’s a worrying time for farmers with
governmentsaresomehowcontrolling thepathofhurricanesandthatthe weatherstoryisbeingmanipulatedto curbindividualfreedoms.Theideathat weathercouldbemanipulatedinthis wayisutterlyridiculous,but conspiracytheoristslatchontotall talesandbecomefixatedtothepoint ofabuseandthreats.
Communicatingtheweatherstory istheprimarydutyofaforecaster; savinglivesandminimisingdamage.I havewrittenbeforeabouthow,when theweatherispoor,theforecasting partofmyjobseemstocomesecond tobeingapsychologist;listeningto concernsandthencommunicating
hopeamidadreary,andseemingly unendingbad-weatherstory. Therearegoingtobeoccasions whenaforecastgoeswrong. WhenIamtrainingforecastersI makeitclearthatifaforecastisin error,solongastheyhaveperformed tothebestoftheirabilitywiththe informationpresentedtothem,they canconfidentlyexplaintoacustomer whyitwassoandmostwill understand.WithMiltontheproblem wasnotthattheforecastwasinerror, butthatitwascorrect.Warningswere given,evacuationordersheededand livessaved.Itseemsforsome,that wasallpartoftheconspiracy.
the Budget on October 30. Nobody knows what Sir Keir Starmer is going to pull out of the bag next.
We need to be able to pass down a profitable farming business for our children.
It’s our bovine TB test next week, our area has gone into contiguous testing, so it has been brought forward by three months.
On a happier note, last Christmas Day, Robert shared a straw of Lambda sexed semen with two heifers and the result was two heifer calves. I am quite excited for his cost cutting.
For location specific forecasts visit farmersweather.co.uk and for video updates go to weatherweb.net or call the number below. Call Farmers WeatherLIVE
Cumbria James Robinson
Yorkshire Helen Stanier
Cheshire
Ian farms in partnership with his family near Knutsford, Cheshire. They manage 700 commercial pedigree Holstein/Friesians on 445 hectares (1,100 acres). Replacements are homereared and cows are on a composite system. Ian is a representative for Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group and sits on the AHDB Genetics Advisory Forum.
It’s mid-October and all systems go here. We have been maize harvesting, bovine TB testing and re-fitting a shed with moderntype cubicles for the dry cows. We love a good jobs list here and we’re never usually short of one.
The dryer weather in October has been welcomed by everyone, I have no
doubt. Fortunately, the ground here appears to have coped with the unprecedented September rain.
Interesting to note, one morning in early October and we had a ground frost, albeit a light one, but a frost nonetheless.
The net result was a rapid dry-down of the maize crop and an opportunity to get harvesting started.
For us, waiting for the ‘five months since sowing’ rule, has gone out of the window and we took it a week early while the weather allowed.
Clamps are now sheeted and the general feeling is a reduction in maize yield of approximately 10%.
Hopefully this won’t come back to haunt us in spring. I think the dry matter of this year’s crops will help ensure it lasts the winter season.
Throughout the year, we have had opportunities to empty silage clamps which is, of course, refreshing, but equally concerning as a little more buffer is generally appreciated.
It was interesting to read trade fig-
ures that indicate turkey numbers reared this year are 25% down on last year.
For those people who produce and process turkeys, they will totally understand why. I wonder if this reduction will drive prices up and stimulate trade for spares, or will our European friends simply fill the gap?
After more than five years, the time has come for me to hand the baton on to someone new to write these articles.
Opportunities to make friends and associates as a result of these columns have come thick and fast and to you, the readers, or perhaps should I say reader, I hope to have given you a
small insight into our family farming business, the challenges and the little moments of positivity which also come our way.
I am very grateful and humbled to have received some kind comments about these articles over the years and would like to extend my thanks to Olivia and all the team at Farmers Guardian who have been very patient with my ‘just in time’ approach to deadlines.
I feel sure the future of agriculture here in the UK is in safe hands, thanks to our strong farming community –from Young Farmers, through to shows, social media, discussion groups and much more besides, the opportunity to network and learn is out there.
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1 Display wicked person’s essentially total fixed portion (13)
8 Australia’s mate - a miner? (6)
9 Run-ins ultimately might include this affront (6)
12 Changing final point, legally come into operation and lay to rest (5)
13 Close-fitting riding-coat for England’s horse-racing centre (9)
14 Desist from getting runs in bowler’s area (6)
15 He’s manic about engines (8)
18 Period of total standstill (4,4)
20 Poems with sex appeal for Black Sea port (6)
23 I alter tea improperly to repay in kind (9)
25 Letter for Greece’s brightest star (5)
26 Favourite has a way with explosive device (6)
27 Vendor’s storage place for wines we’re told (6)
28 Sea pie for this red-legged bird? (6-7)
2 Long poem on Wensleydale river for person of refined taste (7)
3 Arranges time to replace English church musicians (9)
4 Issue gin (6)
5 Unexpectedly a rare win, this waterproof gear (8)
6 One note following others for unit of magnetic flux (5)
7 Moves ingratiatingly with relatives for protection from harsh sea weather (7)
10 Tool of curiously thick prof (9)
11 Postpone keeping a small wood store for future use (5,4)
16 Chair duly adapted using water (9)
17 Pass and not oddly decry perforated bowl (8)
19 Your ticket in this might win newfangled toiletry, not desired essentially (7)
21 Most excellent rich cream sauce (7)
22 Female entertainer, rejected, say, is at heart unshaken (6)
24 Lowest degree in the French academy way (5)
Answers to crossword 1265: Across: 1 Rustic, 5 Vilest, 10 Rifle, 11 Woodstock, 12 Modernise, 13 Romeo, 14 Look-see, 16 Thicket, 18 Cheeses, 20 Bavaria, 22 Banns, 24 Yardstick, 26 Segregate, 27 Buyer, 28 Streak, 29 Needle. Down: 2 Unfed, 3 Theorises, 4 Cowhide, 5 Violent, 6 Loser, 7 Shoemaker, 8 Primal, 9 Eke out, 15 Overnight, 17 Invisible, 18 Cubist, 19 Sky Lark, 20 Burgeon, 21 Askers, 23 Swede, 25 Idyll.
The UK agricultural sector stands at a crossroads, facing significant challenges from climate change and shifting market dynamics. In this landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) can be a valuable tool for farmers.
Recently, I had the privilege of speaking at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London, where I discussed the responsible implementation of AI in agriculture. I witnessed first-hand the excitement surrounding AI’s capabilities, and I used the opportunity to focus on building trust and sharing our commitment to the ethical use of AI technologies in farming with other forward-thinking participants.
In the agricultural sector, we are committed to providing innovative technologies to farmers worldwide, enabling them to meet the demand for growing food sustainably. As part of this mission, we are incorporating AI technologies to complement and enhance our existing solutions. By harnessing the power of data and machine learning, we are looking to provide farmers with deep insights and decision-making capabilities.
AI’s potential lies in its capacity to process vast amounts of data from diverse sources, such as satellite imagery, weather stations, soil sensors and farm equipment. Machine learning algorithms can identify patterns and generate actionable recommendations, assisting in areas such as crop planning, pest management, precision
application of inputs, yield prediction and resource optimisation.
These sophisticated models can empower farmers to make informed decisions, leading to improved yields, reduced input costs and higher overall efficiency. For instance, AI-driven precision agriculture, combined with regenerative practices, can decrease fertiliser and pesticide use by up to 20% while also boosting crop yields by reversing land degradation and improving soil health.
Farmers are already harnessing smart technology to revolutionise farm management in the UK. Advanced digital solutions are transforming the industry, with cloud-based platforms centralising essential farming data from field records, soil analysis, satellite imagery, yield maps and machinery telematics, thereby streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency.
Integrating AI could further augment farmers’ capabilities. New systems such as Cropwise AI, which we launched at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit for the US market, combine deep agronomic knowledge with cutting-edge AI capabilities.
Such systems can draw on extensive data, including decades of weather history and thousands of crop growth stage observations, to provide tailored recommendations for input applications, product placement and pest management.
Chief information and digital officer at Syngenta Group
The UK agricultural sector faces risks from climate change, with projections indicating increased drought and heat stress, particularly in the South and East.
At the same time, the sector is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – currently, it accounts for 11% of the UK’s total emissions. Using AI, farmers will be better prepared to build resilience and help mitigate emissions by optimising resource use.
The post-Brexit regulatory environment has created new possibilities for agri-tech, allowing for streamlined approval processes and more flexible approaches to innovation.
This forward-thinking framework, combined with substantial Government investment in research and development, could foster an environment conducive to advancing agricultural technologies and help the UK gain a competitive edge in the global agriculture market.
However, we must acknowledge that we are still in the early stages of AI adoption in agriculture. Challenges remain, including data privacy and security concerns, bridging the digital divide and providing adequate training for farmers to effectively utilise these new technologies so they can make faster data-driven decisions.
We are committed to collaborating
with farmers, researchers and policymakers to unlock AI’s potential in agriculture responsibly.
I believe that by combining generations of farming experience with carefully implemented AI capabilities, we can create a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector in the UK.
As we continue to innovate, I am confident AI will play a crucial role in shaping a brighter future for UK farming – one where technology and tradition work in harmony to feed the nation and protect our environment.
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